Top 10 Accents That Are So Bad They're Good
#10: Brad Pitt [Irish] “Snatch” (2000)
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While a truly dedicated performance, there’s something distracting about Brad Pitt’s accent in “Snatch.” Pitt embodies the role of Irish Traveller Mickey O’Neil with often indecipherable dialogue. It gets so hard to grasp that it almost creates an element of additional comic relief! Since almost every one of his inflections are questionable, the actor relies instead on his charms and facial expressions to win the day. And when all is said and done, the performance reminds audiences that he’s always up for a challenge! After all, there’s arguably few of his contemporaries that would’ve attempted to pull off a part where a character’s lines are secondary to his physical presence.
#9: Cate Blanchett [Ukrainian] “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008)
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Always up for a juicy role, Cate Blanchett plays the scheming nemesis Irina Spalko in the fourth “Indiana Jones” film. While she’s able to match wits with the titular protagonist, her accent is more of a cartoonishly-evil statement than an accurate one. Still, her character and the movie carry on the franchise’s reputation for big performances. Going toe-to-toe with the heroes, the actress adds a physicality to the role, making for many exciting action sequences. Spalko’s entire presence — wild accent included — ends up bringing a welcome dose of energy to the affair. “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” isn’t necessarily everyone’s favorite, but it certainly contains an amusing turn from Blanchett.
#8: Leonardo DiCaprio [Rhodesian] “Blood Diamond” (2006)
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Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for an Oscar for his lead performance in “Blood Diamond.” Playing a Rhodesian character named Danny, he attempted to capture something approximating an accent from the country now known as Zimbabwe. The end result has been the subject of both ridicule and debate. Some people have objected to his dialect and its execution entirely, although other viewers defended it as being a valiant effort. Either way, he soldiers through, delivering some unintentionally funny dialogue for us to enjoy along the way. Listen, many may not be able to take the accent seriously, but nobody can accuse the actor’s performance of being boring or bland!
#7: Nicolas Cage [Southern] “Con Air” (1997)
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In “Con Air,” Nicolas Cage becomes former Army Ranger Cameron Poe, and tries to pull off his best Southern accent. Thankfully for him, the 1997 movie is more of an ensemble piece than a one-man show. Let’s just say his drawl sounds much more like a stereotypical one than something an award-winning actor would cook up on a good day. Even still, Cage never fails to excite the audience with a committed, if rather eccentric, performance, producing some action-packed cinema in the process. The star might not pass as being from Mobile, Alabama, but at least we can all have a good time watching him pretend.
#6: Sacha Baron Cohen [French] “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” (2006)
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Sacha Baron Cohen is known for his many hilarious characters and their distinct voices, and his talent for making us laugh is on full display here. As the villain of “Talladega Nights,” the comedian unleashes an interesting French accent on his rival Ricky Bobby. He certainly uses his chosen voice for comedic effect and not in the name of authenticity. With that in mind, viewers are treated to an outrageous portrait of a skilled driver from France. Baron Cohen goes toe-to-toe with supreme talents like Will Ferrell without breaking a sweat. His character Jean Girard isn’t pure evil though, as evidenced by the heartfelt finale and kiss. It’s almost as memorable as the accent.
#5: Don Cheadle [Cockney] “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001)
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Playing Basher Tarr, Don Cheadle goes for a Cockney accent in “Ocean’s Eleven.” But you can’t win them all. While his character’s expertise in explosives makes him an integral part of the team, the actor’s voice just isn’t there. On the one hand, one could easily argue that his character didn’t need to be British at all. On the other hand though, the movie’s sense of humor almost welcomes the strange decision. Cheadle even tries to use Cockney rhyming slang in one ridiculous moment, prompting a befuddled reaction from the other characters (and viewers). The performer also plays Basher in the sequels and never really masters the accent, but he does give the franchise a unique touch.
#4: Lady Gaga [Italian] “House of Gucci” (2021)
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Among the more talked about films of 2021, “House of Gucci” features an unforgettable performance from Lady Gaga. Depending on your preferences, the singer either nails her assignment or, well, completely overdoes it. Gaga absolutely tries to capture Patrizia Reggiani’s Italian accent, and by all accounts she gives it her best shot. But it’s the opinion of at least one dialect coach that her voice is much closer to a person from Russia than Italy. The actress and her colleagues might all be speaking as if they were from different countries, but that doesn’t discredit the high entertainment value of the movie. If anything, it actually adds to it.
#3: John Malkovich [Russian] “Rounders” (1998)
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In “Rounders,” John Malkovich plays the Oreo-eating villain Teddy “KGB.” The menacing Russian mobster has some of the most interesting enunciations of any movie character ever. The actor also brings an intensity to this role that he brings to every one of his projects. While sitting across from the likes of Matt Damon, the performer offers up brilliantly ludicrous dialogue delivery in a performance that veers into overacting. Malkovich’s campy presence elevates the card game sequences, and he arguably steals the spotlight from his co-stars in the process. His final moments on screen include some of the most humorous quotes from the entire script, all because of his supercharged take on the antagonist.
#2: Dick Van Dyke [Cockney] “Mary Poppins” (1964)
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Dick Van Dyke is arguably responsible for popularizing a laughably terrible Cockney accent. Yet his character Bert is too lovable to get angry about. After all, he’s a vital part of the story with his place in sequences such as “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” Plus, his chemistry with the cast, in particular Julie Andrews, makes for many of the movie’s finest moments. The fact that Van Dyke isn’t suited to nail the intricate vocal patterns of Londoners just ends up contributing to the humor and magic in his scenes. How can anyone have a bad time listening to him? The accent is infamous for a reason, but it’s also generally accepted as a hilariously welcome addition to the classic children’s film.
#1: Al Pacino [Cuban] “Scarface” (1983)
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Al Pacino has made an indelible mark on American cinema with many legendary characters like Tony Montana. It speaks to Pacino’s talents that he nailed the role while completely butchering the accent. As many people know, the actor is not Cuban, and his efforts to conceal that seem borderline nonexistent. Still, Montana ranks among the most endlessly entertaining and quotable characters ever. Pacino’s absurd, exaggerated delivery makes his line reads surprisingly more fun, never boring or predictable for one second. The fact that he proudly throws caution to the wind in every scene is part of the reason why he’s become so widely imitated.
