Top Australian Accent Films: Hits and Misses

The Australian accent poses a significant challenge for many, including seasoned actors who sometimes struggle to replicate it accurately. Often, only Australian audiences can discern when a non-Australian actor is attempting the accent, highlighting its unique nuances. In fact, a poorly executed Australian accent can be so glaringly off that it detracts from the overall quality of the film.

At LingualNeeds, we were intrigued to explore which movies showcase the best—and worst—of fake Australian accents. As language tutors specializing in online English and Spanish lessons, we continually seek to deepen our understanding of various accents and dialects. To satisfy our curiosity, we delved into film reviews of popular movies with faux Australian accents, aiming to uncover which films garnered praise and which ones missed the mark.

In this report, we delve into the intriguing nuances of the Australian accent and share valuable tips for mastering it. Additionally, we explore the cultural implications of Australia’s depiction in film, shedding light on common stereotypes and questioning whether Hollywood needs to enhance its portrayal of Australian identities.

Key findings

• ‘The MacKintosh Man’ (1973) – a spy film featuring Paul Newman – holds the record for the most negative reviews, with many citing the film’s fake Australian accent as a key criticism.
• “‘December Boys’ (2007) and ‘Backtrack’ (2015) ranked second and third, respectively, receiving criticism for their unrealistic Australian accents in multiple reviews.”
• “Cry In The Dark” (1988), the film depicting Lindy Chamberlain’s story, is hailed as the top-reviewed film, largely credited to Meryl Streep’s impressive Australian accent.
• Kate Winslet is featured twice on our list of top Australian accents for her roles in ‘The Dressmaker’ (2015) and ‘Holy Smoke!’ (1999).

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The top 10 movies for bad Australian accents

Our research delved into films featuring non-Australian actors portraying Australian characters, revealing an intriguing trend in our top ten list of poor accents. The actors’ nationalities were evenly divided between American and British, highlighting a widespread challenge. These failed attempts at capturing the Aussie accent spanned various genres, including drama, comedy, action, horror, romance, and mystery, showcasing that no style is immune to accent mishaps.

Let’s dive into the top three films notorious for their poor accents and spotlight the actors who committed these linguistic missteps against the Australian drawl.

1. The MacKintosh Man

After diving into numerous online reviews of this 70s spy thriller, we discovered that a notable 28.6% criticized Paul Newman’s Australian accent, contributing to its controversial reputation and securing its place at the top of the list. Here are some standout comments gathered from IMDb:

“The worst atrocity was Newman’s Australian accent.”

“As phony an Australian accent as you could find.”

Paul Newman is cast as a British character pretending to be Australian, but he struggles with the accents. His American twang often slips through, regardless of the scene, and even his earnest attempts at the accents fall flat.

While it’s true, as noted in the review, that Newman’s character isn’t actually Australian, it raises eyebrows that he, as a supposed British Intelligence agent, would choose ‘Australian’ as his cover identity. This decision seems rather unwise, given the context.

2. December Boys

“December Boys” (2007) brings to life a poignant tale from Michael Noonan’s 1963 novel. Set in the 1960s, this heartwarming film follows four orphaned boys as they compete for the affection of a family considering adoption during a transformative summer.

Daniel Radcliffe, best known for his role in Harry Potter, dedicated six months to perfecting the Australian accent for his latest project. He noted that while it can be tempting to oversimplify the accent, truly mastering it is a challenging endeavor.

Despite his attempts, the outcome falls short of expectations. One IMDb reviewer even likens it to a “British accent layered over an Australian accent,” resulting in a sound that comes across as “gibberish.”

Remarkably, 25% of all reviews criticized Radcliffe’s faux Australian accent, earning ‘December Boys’ the dubious distinction of being the second worst film for Australian accents.

3. Backtrack

In the 2015 horror film “Backtrack,” Adrien Brody’s performance sparked mixed reactions, with 16.7% of reviews highlighting criticism of his accent, placing the film third in this regard. Brody takes on the role of a troubled psychotherapist haunted by dark visions after the tragic loss of his daughter in a street accident.

Despite its intriguing premise, many movie enthusiasts were disappointed by the film’s execution. One harsh IMDb review criticized Brody’s performance as “largely lifeless” and noted his “poorly executed Australian accent.” Similarly, a reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes commented that the film was “marred” by Brody’s “inconsistent” accent, highlighting a significant flaw in the production.

The top 10 movies for good Australian accents

After examining instances of actors misrepresenting the Aussie accent, we’ve compiled a list of films where the performances truly hit the mark. Our rankings are based on the number of reviews that praised the Australian accent, highlighting those that got it right.

1. Cry in the Dark

“Cry in the Dark” (1988) tells the gripping true story of Lindy Chamberlain, who was wrongfully accused of murdering her infant daughter Azaria during a camping trip at Uluru in 1980. After spending over three years behind bars, Lindy’s fight for justice ultimately led to her exoneration, highlighting the complexities of the legal system and the impact of public perception.

An analysis of the film’s reviews reveals that 45.5% of viewers commend Meryl Streep’s performance, though opinions on her portrayal vary among critics.

According to a review by the LA Times, Meryl Streep’s Australian accent is so subtle and authentic that it feels as if she must have grown up right alongside kangaroos.

IMDb reviews are equally enthusiastic, with one reviewer praising Streep for “totally nailing the accent” and declaring her Oscar nomination as “well deserved.”

Streep highlights that her accent was inspired by Chamberlain’s distinctive speech patterns, which is especially challenging since Chamberlain hails from New Zealand.

In his film review, journalist Marc Fennell notes that Meryl Streep’s performance has sparked considerable discussion over the years. He points out that while her accent may come off as strained and less than authentic, it effectively captures the essence of a Lindy Chamberlain accent rather than an Australian one.

2. The Sundowners

In reviews of the 1960 film ‘The Sundowners,’ 17.2% commend Robert Mitchum’s portrayal of an Aussie accent, though opinions vary widely among viewers. The film, adapted from Jon Cleary’s 1952 novel, explores the struggles of a 1920s Australian family living in an outback town. The father yearns for a nomadic lifestyle, while his wife and son dream of stability. This compelling narrative delves into the dynamics of gender roles, all set against the stunning and rugged Australian landscape.

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia reveals that American actors were chosen for the lead roles in this film because “Hollywood likely wouldn’t have backed the project without big stars,” and “there were limited Australian actors with international recognition at that time.” Interestingly, Mitchum’s Australian accent has been deemed “passably accurate,” which is quite commendable given the circumstances.

Reviews for ‘The Sundowners’ on IMDb are predominantly favorable. One reviewer highlights Robert Mitchum’s impressive Australian accent, noting that he “manages a believable Aussie accent.” Another enthusiastically commends his “phenomenal ability to adopt and master any accent or dialect.”

3. The Dressmaker

In her article for The Guardian, Clem Bastow hails Kate Winslet as “the queen of Australian accents,” a title she earned through her captivating performance as Tilly Dunnage in the 2015 gothic comedy, ‘The Dressmaker.’

Winslet teamed up with dialect coach Victoria Mielewska, a rare talent in Australia, to master her Aussie accent. Mielewska believes that her greatest achievement is when audiences don’t even notice the accent changes, as it’s the best compliment she can give to the director.

IMDb reviewers unanimously praise Winslet’s performance, highlighting her Australian accent as “flawless,” “raw and beautiful,” and “impressive.” Her ability to embody the character has left a lasting impact on audiences and critics alike.

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Speaking with an Aussie accent: Common mistakes and challenges

In the article titled “Why is the Australian Accent So Hard?”, Marc Fennell explores the challenges of mastering the Australian accent. He notes that many American actors find it particularly difficult, often joking that they perceive Australians as a mix of British speakers and a touch inebriated.

Leith McPherson, the Head of Voice and Movement at the Victorian College of the Arts, shares an interesting observation: many foreign actors often gravitate towards a Cockney accent, leading to outcomes that can be unintentionally amusing.

McPherson highlights a significant hurdle for foreign actors: Australia lacks a single, uniform accent. Instead, there is a rich variety of regional accents. To master this complexity, she advises actors to listen to different speakers and to relax their tongues, avoiding excessive tension in the vowel sounds for a more authentic delivery.

In her article for Backstage, Sammi Burke reveals that the differences in Australian accents are largely influenced by social class rather than geographic location. She categorizes these accents into three main types: broad, general, and cultivated. Broad accents are typically associated with the working class, while general accents are common among those raised in middle-class suburban or urban areas. Cultivated speakers, on the other hand, exhibit a distinct British inflection in their speech. Burke also notes that the Australian accent has transformed over the years, resulting in noticeable differences between how older and younger generations communicate.

To truly master an Australian accent, start by pinpointing the specific variant you want to emulate and immerse yourself in it. Working with a vocal coach can provide expert guidance, while interacting with local Australians will help you grasp the unique vocal inflections and mannerisms that define the accent.

The cultural impact of how Australians are portrayed in film

In a recent report for the Australian National University, Jess Fagan interviewed Linguistics Professor Catherine Travis and dialect coach Benjamin Purser about the innovative Sydney Speaks project. This initiative is dedicated to documenting the nuances of Australian English and has culminated in the creation of the first all-encompassing guide to the Australian accent tailored for the performance industry. As Purser highlights, Sydney Speaks is crucial because it helps ensure that Australians can see their authentic voices and identities represented on screen and stage.

Purser argues that Australians often experience a “cultural cringe” regarding their speech. This phenomenon describes how Australian writers and artists may perceive their own work as less valuable compared to that of their British and American counterparts. This feeling of inadequacy is further exacerbated when Australian actors are compelled to adopt English or American accents in order to secure roles and establish their professional reputation.

The team behind Sydney Speaks is passionate about highlighting the rich tapestry of Australian accents found in migrant communities, including those from Italian, Greek, Chinese, and Lebanese backgrounds. When international filmmakers rely on outdated Australian stereotypes, like Paul Hogan’s portrayal in Crocodile Dundee, they overlook the country’s multicultural essence. It’s essential for Australians to see authentic representations of themselves, and for local artists to have greater opportunities to share their stories in their own unique voices.

Learn how to improve your language skills

Mastering a new language can be challenging, but a private tutor can make a significant difference by helping you perfect your accent and communicate more clearly. At LingualNeeds, our dedicated tutors are committed to supporting you in every facet of your language learning journey, with a strong focus on improving your pronunciation skills.

Planning a trip to Australia? Our Australian English teachers are here to help you master the Aussie accent! And for locals looking to expand their language skills, you can explore Spanish and hundreds of other languages with native speakers who will teach you to converse fluently. It’s a breeze, mate!

Methodology

We examined more than 13,000 IMDb reviews of popular films featuring fake Australian accents, covering a wide range of decades and genres. Our goal was to uncover which movies garnered the most praises and criticisms for their portrayal of these accents.

Data is correct as of May 2024.