Top 10 Most Impressive Cate Blanchett Accents
#10: 1950s Manhattan “Carol” (2015)
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It’s one thing to nail down an accent for a location. It’s an entirely different animal to master the accent of a location for a specific time. Todd Haynes’ 2015 romantic movie “Carol” stars Rooney Mara opposite Cate Blanchett as two women who fall in love with one another during the 1950s in New York City. Of the two, Blanchett’s character (the titular Carol) is older and wealthier, and she lends a poshness to her accent with incredible ease. Blanchett doesn’t just talk like a rich New York housewife. She adds subtle, 1950s aspects to her vocal approach that in the hands of a lesser actor might feel hammy. But she treats them with nuance.
#9: British “Notes on a Scandal” (2006)
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When you hear Cate Blanchett speak in her native Australian accent, it’s almost jarring. But knowing that Australian is her normal speaking voice just makes this British accent all the more impressive. Blanchett was nominated for an Oscar for “Notes on a Scandal,” and it’s easy to see why. When some actors have to speak in an accent close to their normal voice, you can sometimes hear them slipping in and out. But not Blanchett. Even though there’s nothing particularly remarkable about the voice itself, she hits it strongly and never wavers.
#8: American Frontier “The Missing” (2003)
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Mastering any accent takes a lot of concentration and study. However, we can imagine that it’s probably a bit more difficult when you’ve never really heard the accent you’re working on. The 2003 film “The Missing” takes place in 1885 in what was then known as New Mexico territory. Throughout the film, Blanchett takes on a western frontier-type accent, and never slips into the stereotype that some other actors might have chosen. The film is also notable for its use of the Apache language. Many of the actors on the set took time to make sure their language and pronunciation were authentic.
#7: Scottish “Charlotte Gray” (2001)
The Scottish accent can be a really difficult one to master. Even when it comes to historic Scottish films, the actors don’t always get it exactly right. Here’s looking at Mel Gibson in “Braveheart.” But if there’s one thing we know, it’s that we can always count on Cate Blanchett. The film “Charlotte Gray” is nowhere near close to the actress’ best. Considering that it’s a story of espionage and trickery, it’s actually kind of dull. But Blanchett has a habit of being the best part of whatever movie she’s in, and her commitment to the accent only elevates her above everyone else.
#6: Southern United States “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008)
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Southern accents can be a pitfall for many actors. They either go too over the top or lose the nuance of the south’s many different regional dialects. But in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Cate Blanchett falls into neither trap. She plays Daisy, a ballerina from New Orleans who falls in love with the titular character. Blanchett doesn’t go too over-the-top with the New Orleans accent while simultaneously leaning into its quirks and subtleties with practiced ease. She’s so good at it, it’s hard to believe she’s not really from the area. We can only imagine how jarring it was to hear her switch out of it on set.
#5: Bob Dylan “I’m Not There” (2007)
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In this instance, Cate Blanchett didn’t just have to master a midwestern or Minnesota accent. She had to learn how to mimic and speak like one of the most famous voices of all time. In 2007’s “I’m Not There,” multiple actors play the famous singer-songwriter Bob Dylan in multiple phases of his life. Blanchett stands out from the rest of the list as she is the only woman, and funnily enough, she gives one of the most authentic performances. Blanchett captures Dylan’s funny way of talking without delving into an impression. She prefers to emulate his style of speech rather than go directly for the tone of his voice, which was a smart decision on her part.
#4: Queen Elizabeth I “Elizabeth” (1998)
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We already know that Cate Blanchett can deliver a perfect British accent, no problem. But what about delivering the accent of one of the most famous British historical figures of all time? Queen Elizabeth I lived primarily in the 16th century, so it’s not like Blanchett could rely on video or audio for her accent work. That also means we don’t have a real sense of how accurate the accent actually is. However, the way Blanchett performs royalty extends past her physicality to her voice as well. While we may not be completely sure how good the impression is, she exudes all things English royalty. And that’s the most important thing.
#3: German “The Good German” (2006)
German is one of those accents that can easily fall into parody. But we can always count on Cate Blanchett to deliver a voice with a sense of integrity. “The Good German” is a throwback to the classic noirs of the 1940s, and takes place just after the end of World War II. Because of the hyper-stylization of the movie, Blanchett’s accent work requires a bit more nuance than you might think. She’s delivering a wonderful German accent yes, but she’s also tapping into the femme fatales who came before her. The final product? The best performance in the movie.
#2: Irish “Veronica Guerin” (2003)
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Sometimes, it’s difficult for non-Irish actors to tap into the Irish accent without going full Leprechaun. But in 2003, Cate Blanchett easily set the bar for good Irish accents in movies. The film “Veronica Guerin” tells the story of a journalist who is murdered for her investigation into the Dublin drug trade. The movie itself is once again, just alright. But watching Blanchett disappear into yet another character as easily as she does is mesmerizing. Accent work is clearly so important to her craft, and watching her nail another one is always a treat.
#1: Katharine Hepburn “The Aviator” (2004)
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In 2004, Cate Blanchett took on one of the most famous voices in American movie history. And unsurprisingly, she nailed it. “The Aviator” is about Hollywood mogul Howard Hughes, and Blanchett plays Katharine Hepburn, who had a very intense relationship with Hughes. Blanchett captures Hepburn’s iconic voice in a way that doesn’t come off as mimicry, but rather evocation. We’ve all tried our hand at doing a Hepburn impression, but none of us can hope to match Blanchett’s level. She breathes inner life into the character, and was awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her efforts. It’s clear to see why.