MovieChat Forums > Pawn (2013) Discussion > Michael Chiklis accent (spoilers)

Michael Chiklis accent (spoilers)

posted 11 years ago by camel-wides
14 replies | jump to latest

So, when I grabbed this, I didn't even notice Michael Chiklis was in it. but then he spoke.
he plays an English thug, and it is slightly jarring.
every time he speaks, it made my head spin.

his accent wasn't the worst i have ever heard, and it could have been the best, and it wouldn't have mattered. it was just so unexpected, and didn't really make much sense.

why would an English thug be running a crew of 3 in what i believe was referred to as Connecticut? Talk about not flying under the radar.

even if everything went as planned, and he presumably was gunned down in the robbery... it would have taken Yuri about 30 minutes or less to find out who in town was running this English thug who knew about his cash safe. It still would have come back on the dirty cop, since he'd apparently been using Chiklis for other jobs.

[–] LushGusset 11 years ago

It was a good movie but his accent really
took me out of it every time he spoke.

I think the main problem was the writing was
so corny for his character. Blimey, I took the
lift up to me flat. Come ear you Cnut! You geezer.

Vic should talk like Vic.

[–] Geddles 11 years ago

When he finally spoke more like "himself," it worked on all levels. However, the Brit accents all around were awful and extremely cliche. Plus, you can tell a true accent based on the muscles used around the mouth. Ones used only so rarely do not stick and disappear quickly. It hurt the movie in terms of a believable film, but we did not watch this for a believable film. ;) It was a fun ride with a slightly confusing ending.

Either way, always a treat to see Forest and Michael working together again.

[–] jac163 11 years ago

I think Chiklist based his accent on Bob Hoskins. Loosely.

[–] brianinnh 10 years ago

Bob Hoskins has a natural London accent, although actually born in Suffolk. In my opinion the accent is similar to Hoskins but overlaid with that of Vinnie Jones, a harsher North London accent (Vinnie in the role would have been more plausible than Chiklis faking it and a possible initial casting). That said the Chiklis accent was decent but his script was not. He used a lot of British slang incorrectly. For example,no one calls someone 'Geezer' to a bloke's face, and going outside for a 'fag' sounded incredibly wrong although technically correct, most Brits would have said 'gone out for a smoke'.

If a Brit, preferably Londoner, had validated the script first, it may have improved the movie.

[–] kniphofia 8 years ago

Brits say "going out for a fag" all the time. I'm English. I thought Chiklis's accent was pretty good.

[–] NickyCee 11 years ago

Sorry to disagree but I disagree. I thought Chickles did a great job with the accent. It wasn't the best I have seen but he did a great job with it. It added a dimension and layer to the film also. The UK is only a 7 hour flight from Hartford CT so the idea that he is in town doing some dirty work is not a stretch. You want a super bad, out of place accent? See Julia Sloberts in Mary Reilly. Now that was laughably bad - Mystic Pizza to English maid.

[–] Judimex 10 years ago

It was as if he was trying too hard to speak like an English thug.

I thought he sounded terrible and fake.

If it harms none, do what thou wilt.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] lathe-of-heaven 10 years ago

Fully agree with you mate!

I thought his accent, although perhaps not perfect, added a *beep* of fun to the film and I frigg'n LOVED every moment of it. It TOTALLY reminded me of Guy Ritchie, which is ALWAYS a good thing! As a matter of fact, I personally do not think that I would have enjoyed it nearly as much if he hadn't had it...

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[–] JohnECash 10 years ago

I agree, it seemed like Chiklet was trying to act like he was a thug in a Guy Ritchie movie like Snatch.

[–] lathe-of-heaven 10 years ago

Yep...

I have over 6000 films now, many of them very rare and OOP. I LOVE to trade. PLEASE ASK!

[–] kooyong2003 9 years ago

I can see him in Eastenders as a long lost Mitchell bruvva

[–] FridayOnElmStreet 9 years ago

The accent just sounded bizarre coming from him.

[–] TheFugitiveRK 8 years ago

What I don't understand with films like this is why they don't just get a English guy to play a English guy etc. I mean, we're not talking A List star that has to be in the film.

Agree Chiklis accent wasn't the worst ever, but was pretty terrible.