MovieChat Forums > The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) Discussion > Is no one else bothered by the English i...

Is no one else bothered by the English in the movie??

posted 15 years ago by BobDoughertyJr
14 replies | jump to latest

I don't care if this is a kids' movie and the standards are inherently lowered. It's ridiculous that the Italians in the movie are in their own country and speaking English to one another; they all happen to be conveniently fluent in English so that the mono-lingual Americans can understand them. Do they really have to patronize us like that? Why can't some of the American characters whip out an Italian phrase or two? Why can't they subtitle the conversations Italians have with each other, so they don't have to dumb it down for us? It makes an otherwise decent movie really campy and cheeseball. And it makes Americans look stupid, not only the sense that we can't speak Italian, but that we'd accept a movie where Italian characters have to speak relatively sophsticated English with exaggerated accents. Not remotely realistic. Lizzie doubling as Isabella is more realistic.

[–] YoSheBitch 15 years ago

I have no idea. But it's the LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE. You can't expect much.

The Cat Queen has spoken.

[–] Chocolate-Bear 15 years ago

probably because the movie is intended for kids under 10

[–] e_93gsx 15 years ago

You guys should be speacking American anyway. It is the dominate language.

[–] beforeverfearless 15 years ago

"You guys should be speacking American anyway. It is the dominate language."

You mean English? Are you like 5 years old or something because you cant spell speaking either. Also that comment is slightly racist. And yes I am Scottish and therefore I do speak English.

[–] bsteward-2 14 years ago

I agree with spical123, they should be speaking American because it is the dominate language in the world. I once spent a week in Romania, we watched many movies and they we all American movies, and that wasn’t just for my benefit. And before someone corrects me, I do mean American and not English. I have watched English movies and I need subtitles just to understand what’s going on. The English use different words, different phrases and the accent makes it hard to understand them, especially the fast talkers. English women, like Keira Knightley, do sound hot though but the men sound gay. So, I guess that makes me a Racist, a sexist and a gay basher. Have at it.

[–] Sunstars1488 14 years ago

Okay, guys, seriously, this a board for the movie. People are allowed to come here and ask about specific details, that's what it's here for. No one expects that a kids' movie is going to be perfect, but older fans can't help but notice those imperfections, which is why they come here. So chill.

I don't care about the characters speaking English. Given that Paolo is a major superstar, he should be able to speak English from traveling the world. Likewise, hotel workers would know it from having American guests. The only time I thought they should be speaking Italian was the scene where Lizzie is trying on all the different outfits.

Another thing that bothered me was that the ending song is in English. Now, I get that in order for the movie to have this huge ending for Lizzie to sing on stage, the song had to be English. But wouldn't all of Paolo and Isabella's songs be sung in Italian? My only explanation is that they translated the song into English for the award ceremony. Of course, I still love the song, but I noticed that when I was watching the movie today,

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[–] RemusMoon 14 years ago

@Sunstars1488 - I get what you're saying but it's not a huge deal because foreign countries do actually listen to English songs and some of their own songs are actually in English (or at least have one or two english words in them)

[–] jedite1000 10 years ago

English is the dominant language..not american

[–] dfwpoetry 15 years ago

You know what else makes a person look stupid? Complaining about the realism of a Disney movie on an IMDB board.

I'm your Huckleberry.

[–] spica123 15 years ago

"You guys should be speacking American anyway. It is the dominate language."

I rest my case, Your Honor.

[–] worldofbong 15 years ago

well part of the target audience for this can't even read yet, so I'd say subtitles might be a little too much. also, this is hardly the first movie that shows people conveniently speaking english when they shouldn't be

but then again, i'm not so sure, lol - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PSVP9LuRhU

[–] paiges-daughter 15 years ago

I know, it's ridiculous for them to all be speaking English to each other, but it's a kids movie.
Also, in European countries, most people learn English, at least now a days they do. I know in Germany students have to take two foreign languages, English usually being one of them.

I stand for truth, justice, and... other stuff. -Clark Kent

[–] KonekoTsukino 13 years ago

As everyone has said, it's a CHILDREN'S movie, aimed for girls between 8-12.
Also, I was just IN Italty and most people there can speak English. It is a mandatory language to learn throughout their schooling. And the accents that they're using isn't exaggerated or ridiculous, it's pretty accurate. The accents range from person to person, that's for sure, but it's not too ridiculous. Sure, it's silly that they're speaking English to each other, but it's a children's movie!

[–] LilRed_RoRo 12 years ago

I just went to Rome and pretty much everyone spoke English.