I just thought Ben Kinglsey, who I think is a great actor (loved him in Sexy Beast)was miscast in this. The way he did an American accent just didn't work for me. Maybe I found it forced--his way of speaking seemed off. Just didn't really like him in the role. Didn't buy him as an alcoholic, either.
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Yeah. He's not just using an American accent. He's using the American accent of a Polish Russian who grew up in Buffalo.
"Honey, just cuz I talk slow doesn't mean I'm stupid." (Sweet Home Alabama)
His accent sucks, as does this show. He sounds nothing like a Polack from Buffalo.
shareLike you'd know.
share>>He sounds nothing like a Polack from Buffalo.
or a bullock from Poffalo but, either way, Ben's acting is always complex and interesting, and this is a black comedy, so lapses in accent are easier to forgive.
I agree... Kingsley is a multifaceted actor (this is the same guy who nailed Gahndi) and he did a superb job, as did Tea Leoni. I loved this movie.
shareI thought DiNiro would have been a great choice.
shareHe reminded me of De Niro during the scene at the wake where he was being offered the drink. There was something he said and at first I couldn't place who he sounded like, but then it popped into my head that it was De Niro. I think he would have been a good choice, though I did dig Kingsley in the role.
You gonna bark all day, little doggy, or are you gonna bite?share
When I first saw this movie I could see a number of different people playing the role of Frank. I always came to the conclusion, though, that Ben is the only person that could play all of them.
shareI agree, DeNiro would have been outstanding as the Kingsley character, maybe better than Kingsley. But Kingsley was great and brought a different kind of humor to the character. I enjoyed this movie a lot, partly because I love Ben Kingsley in whatever he does (just watch what he does in "House of Sand and Fog" to this see this great actor's skills), and I like Tea Leoni. An underrated actress, and I just love that little overbite.
shareHe was too old for this part. Good performance, but too old for the character.
shareI agree, he's a terrific actor but this movie just didn't do it for me. It almost sounded like five different people talking when he spoke. I did like the overall concept of the movie, though.
shareNo, Kingsley sounded nothing like an American, or a Polish American, or a Polish American from Buffalo.
People who are "defending" him don't know ^%$# about Polish people or Polish Americans or Buffalo.
Well, until I saw this thread, I didn't know Ben Kingsley WASN'T American, so I think his accent must've been pretty spot-on.
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heart of your beloved. Forever yours, forever mine, forever us.
I saw a german dub of this... but I have to say I found Kingsley brilliant. In fact, the film would have been half as funny without out.
shareHaven't we had enough of De Niro playing a mobster? I thought Kingsley was brilliant and can do this type of dry humor very easily. A fresh take on what could have been (with De Niro) just another mob movie.
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