If you want to win hire a brit!
Is Hollywood running out of talent? Seems to me the most talent is in the UK. Australia also contributes to some good actors. These days even the Swedish (my home country) are better than the americans.
I saw the names Firth and Blunt and I assumed it would be a British production. Now, I see it is an American production so I have less faith in it being good.
shareAmerica still has some great actors, but a lot of the youngest rising ones have yet to impress me. Honestly, all of my favorite actors, young and old, are British. They're far more likely to have had training and to be more versatile, able to work in theatre, radio, television and film. I'm American and aware that some of us Yanks have an odd idea that British actors have a Shakespearean presence and sophistication (and perhaps dullness?), which frankly underestimates the versatility of actors like Colin Firth and Gary Oldman (as well as many others) who can play regular people, American or British.
America has many great actors other than Robert Downey Jr., and I really wouldn't choose him to represent Hollywood's talent when he primarily limits himself to the same character. And England has far more than the five actors another poster suggested, but a list would just be tedious.
I haven't seen many Swedish films -- only a few from Ingmar Bergman and Tomas Alfredson. I watched Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy with the director's commentary, and Alredson pointed out some Swedish actors whom I had assumed to be British. So I completely believe that you have some actors better than the ones Hollywood is selling movies with. I hope they get attached to some good projects and we get to see more of them.
BTW, are there any particular Swedish films you might recommend?
I think there are plenty of great British and plenty of great American actors. I can think of many American actors who could of played the roles of Emily Blunt and Colin Firth... like Aubrey Plaza, Jennifer Lawrence, Rooney or Kate Mara, Mila Kunis, Emmy Rossum, Eva Mendes, Rosario Dawson etcetera... and for Colin Firth's role... William H. Macy, Kevin Kline, Richard Jenkins, Richard Gere, Johnny Depp, Kevin Spacey, Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, etcetera
I think the "problem" is, is that there's just so many actors to choose from. There's too much of a supply and not enough credible, well-crafted and artistic English speaking material.
And on the topic of British training... I think there's a lot of great training in the states too, heck if you go to some of the great acting studios, conservatories, and schools in the United States, most of the students consist of foreigners... I think the biggest difference between English and American cinema and tv, is that when it comes to casting, looks will always override in the United States, whereas I think in England, talent is much more of a priority.... but that doesn't mean the talent doesn't exist here in the states, it does... it's just not as desired as other qualities producers are looking for.
I am a hardcore Anglophile, so my comments weren't entirely objective. I wasn't trying to knock American actors, but as I said, all of my favorites are British. That may reflect my British bias, but it truly seems that they are more versatile than their American counterparts in terms of both media (they can translate their skills onto the radio, stage, small screen and big screen) and roles. Three of America's most iconic superheroes are currently being portrayed by British actors (Christian Bale, Henry Cavill and Andrew Garfield), so many are clearly adept at portraying multiple nationalities. The only American I can think of in a recent, prominent British role is Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, and I have heard many a Brit complain about his accent.
I can't claim to be very familiar with American training. But I watched an interview with the American stage and screen actor John Lithgow before I saw him performing at Britain's National Theatre. He claimed that the Harvard atmosphere was hostile to actors and that the only quality training when he was young was in England. He also indicated that things had since changed in the US but still noted that London was very hospitable to actors. Unlike America where Broadway and Hollywood are on opposite ends of the country, actors in London can be on the Olivier stage of the National Theatre one week and filming a movie at Pinewood the next.
But it is simplistic to make generalizations about an entire country's acting talent. I do pay more attention to British talent simply because there is less of it.
They film movies and TV shows in New York. Speaking of American actors, why hasn't anyone mentioned Meryl Streep?
Most people are so ungrateful to be alive, but not you. Not anymore.
~Saw~
Yeah, I know; I study in New York. But if you spend some time in London's West End, you'll realize how commonplace it is to see actors like Jude Law, Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Helen Mirren, etc. on the stage. Go to broadway.com and you'll see a special section labeled "Celebs on Stage;" it's considered a novelty to see Tom Hanks and Al Pacino on Broadway.
I just showed this quote to my sister, so you get to see it, too:
“In Europe, an actor is an artist. In Hollywood, if he isn’t working, he’s a bum.” – Oscar-winning actor Anthony Quinn
It's not simply a matter of proximity; it's culture. There's far more fluidity between the two media in England because both their stage and screen actors are trained at the same schools and start their careers in theatre. In the US there's a divide between celebrities (hence "Celebs on Stage") who started their careers in TV or film and stage actors who started in theatre.
Unfortunately, my contribution to the conversation has so far focused on male actors. I consider Meryl Streep fantastic, but I was worried that I hadn't seen enough of her work to bring her up.
I love British movies...even the tv series such as Downton Abbey...they have become stars here. I recall when I first started watching...many moons ago..back in the 60's...had a hard time umderstanding the accent...now a no brainer!
BTW...if the American public didn't like them & if they weren't bringing in the cash...they wouldn't be in our movies...
[deleted]
I think British actors deserves a chance and Hollywood. I like Emily Blunt. She is really hot and stylish. Her appearance is completely outstanding. What do you think? http://www.angeljackets.com/products/ARTHUR-NEWMAN-Emily-Blunt-Hooded- Jacket.html
shareBoth leads are great actors. Emily Blunt in particular seem to look good no matter what she wears and does a superb role.
But it's kind of off-putting when both lead roles in a film set in typical America are british actors. My mind is all the time looking out for the telltale Brit accent :P Its not particularly difficult roles that were in question and I'm certain there are a dozen American or even Canadian actors who could have made it.
I'm a Brit, and as much as I appreciate and am flattered by your Britophilia, I think America is utterly festooned with talent.
Look at all the great directors and A lister stars.