MovieChat Forums > Black Box (2014) Discussion > Kelly Playing American

Kelly Playing American

posted 10 years ago by machieba
6 replies | jump to latest

Something seemed really off to me about the lead actress' portrayal. I couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was and was ready to write her off as an over-actor until I saw an episode of Chicago Fire and realized that wasn't the problem at all.

It's her trying to play an American and failing. I mean sure her accent slips at times but most other actors slip as well, that's not too big a deal. The thing that really takes me out of it is that I have yet to see a foreign actor master American mannerisms and facial expressions. Laura Fraser actually does a better job at this than Kelly but she's not the lead so IDK.

Before I get jumped on I openly admit there aren't many American actors that can pull off any accent outside of their own. It's just European mannerisms are so much the opposite of American that even with a passable accent it really makes it hard for me to buy into the character (See Damien Lewis' persistently pursed lips).

Well, anyway that's the least of this show's problems...

[–] TheOnlyVindicator 10 years ago

If you are a man, you can grunt and groan, and act like an a-hole and sound like an American man. Check out Simon Baker- Mentalist, Hugh Laurie- House, and Jamie Bamber- BSG. OTOH, a lot of U.K. Women playing American don't come off as well since women usually have more of an emotional range then men and come off a little cold and bitchy. Check out Louise Lombard- CSI, Michelle Ryan- Bionic Woman, and Anastasia Griffith- in Trauma, Royal Pains, and OUAT.

The only British woman that sounds convincing to me as an American is Joely Richardson, but she's the daughter of an Oscar and BAFTA winner Vanessa Redgrave.

In the hospital scenes where doctors must have a certain amount of emotional detachment it works, but in more private, emotional intimate scenes it might be a little flat.

[–] lancer165 9 years ago

To be fair about Jamie Bamber I find that he was not out of place on BSG. What I did find disconcerting was his unnatural English accent in the few episodes of Body of Proof. It was very odd.

As far as the similarities nonesense in some posts I lk!e Claire Daines and her portrayal of the character in Homeland. I will be watching season four once it is complete. Although I like to support the Brits I have to concede that Claire beats Kelly. We do not see her in high heels in homeland too often. Or leg exposing skirts/dresses mores the pity.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] 9 years ago

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[–] kellyreillyfans 9 years ago

One then has to ask, why the show hired an overseas actress, to 'do' a USA accent- were there no good enough American actresses..?

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[–] kellyreillyfans 9 years ago

Anyone? Hello..?

Thought so.

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