MovieChat Forums > Skellig (2009) Discussion > Ruined by Alexander Armstrong's Accent

Ruined by Alexander Armstrong's Accent


Alexander Armstrong, the diving instructor, embarrassed both himself and the film with his phoney accent.

I'm not sure that accent's even good enough for a sketch show - he uses it for the "but what do I know?" character (and, I suspect, bases it on Tim Healy of Auf Wiedersehen Pet fame).

Was this character from the North East of England in the book? Was it in the script? Did the director demand it? Or was Armstrong attempting a homage to David Almond?

I've read that a firm grounding in reality was key to the success of the book and I think the film needed that too. Hearing such a laughable excuse for acting, so near the start of the film, made it harder to believe in the every-day side of Michael's life and unbalanced the whole production.

Fiona

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I think he probably did the accent because David Almonds from the North East and I always assume most his books are set there (like I know Heaven Eyes is and the ones that seem to be based on his life mention Felling or somewhere near there).

Personally as being a big David Almond fan when I was younger, I was pretty gutted that the film wasn't set in the North East.


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