As a fellow Michigander I don't understand why Pacino gave him a wisconsin or minnesota type accent? As shown with the longer u's and y's. I've listened to a few interveiws and jack has a more typical mitten pronounciation.
A lifelong SE Michigan resident, with MANY 1900's and 1920's-born relatives, I can say I found his accent surprising in that it was so spot-on similar to many of MY older relatives.
My family came through New York at the beginning of the century, then settled in Detroit. Some of them - as well as many neighbors who also came through Ellis Island as immigrants - kept a slight New York/Immigrant inflection to their voices. My relatives were Polish, however, not Armenian.
THAT is what his accent sounded like to me. I'd have to watch it again to see how people are getting Minnesota/Canada/Upper Peninsula. Not saying that's not the case, just that maybe I didn't hear it the same way and WOULD upon a 2nd watching.
That said, I also don't remember Jack's real voice that well. I'm wondering if Jack had ANY kind of accent/inflection at all. I think I'll look up some video of the man himself, then watch some of YDKJ again.
I doubt that this was an oversight! Jack himself probably did not care.
"Self-reflection is the hardest thing for SOME people to do!"
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It's probably a generational thing. Younger actors (like Michael Fassbender) do a MUCH better job of getting the voice right. I don't think actors used to work on it as much... or they do fakey things like this 'youper' thing.
I just saw the movie Philomena and I was amazed how in-authentic Judi Dench's accent was... it was a typical generic 'Irish' accent. And yet, she's a fantastic actress and a very cool story.
Anyhoo, I've concluded that guys with strong natural accents -- like Pacino and DeNiro just sound like themselves no matter what they do.
Pacino's accent is irrelevant. It isn't overwrought or distracting - I barely even noticed any accent in his speech. And is anyone outside of Michigan even aware that natives from Michigan speak with an accent? I wasn't. So obviously Michigan accents aren't very distinct or heavy, not anything that anyone outside of the state would be able to recognize. Reading this thread, there are several Michigan residents who think Pacino sounds similar to people they know or aren't even aware that people from the state speak with an accent, so really...who cares?
Television is a vice; film is an addiction.