MovieChat Forums > The Pope's Exorcist (2023) Discussion > Russell Crowe's accent - Still acceptabl...

Russell Crowe's accent - Still acceptable in 2023?

posted a year ago by FootOfDavros (7335)
15 replies | jump to latest

Is this still allowed, what Crowe seems to be doing in this film, i.e. putting on some sort Italian accent?

Can he do that still? Is appropriation allowed if you are of the same-ish skin tone?

For example - Russell Crowe would be cancelled these days if he attempted to portray a real life figure who'd been black or gay. Because he would be appropriating their experiences in a non genuine manner.

However he can still play an Italian priest? As long as that priest wasn't gay, seemingly so... Also he's all good to put on an Italian accent (even although he's speaking in English, which I'm pretty certain the source material priest wouldn't have been!). Yet again, say this priest had actually been a non gay Japanese - I bet you all the tea in China if this trailer came out with Russell Crowe speaking in English but putting on a Japanese accent he'd be absolutely finished...

[–] Porsche911 (2950) a year ago

Some Italian Americans and genuine Italians overseas might be offended and I respect that. Don’t try to be Italian if you’re not! It’s disrespectful.

[–] FootOfDavros (7335) a year ago

Exactly - I don't think he even did it in Gladiator and that was years ago!

[–] Porsche911 (2950) a year ago

RC died in Gladiator. For him to show up in this movie as a priest exorcist might also confuse the audience as many thought he was head. Many might feel offended. “How is this possible?? He didn’t die” “I’m rating this 1 on IMDb”

[–] FootOfDavros (7335) a year ago

Well the director's last film was a zombie-fest so perhaps that will be the twist - in which case, the undead Russell Crowe could at least bring some authenticity to playing that aspect of the role!

[–] DeathbySnuSnu (990) a year ago

He didn't even attempt the Latin accent! I didn't even think about it til this ridiculous post but Ridley Scott should be forced to pay reparations to native Latin speakers. None of the actors in that film even tried it.

[–] majaplaya (922) a year ago

Ok...but isnt pretending to be someone else the whole idea of acting?

[–] TerraFirma69 (1962) 8 months ago

[deleted]

[–] TandyMan (10680) a year ago

Those sorts of rules don't apply to super stars like Crowe.

[–] pelosfx (136) 10 months ago

I really doubt you’re being serious with this question. So all the many British or Aussie superstars that are cast in American movies/shows (think Kate Winslet, Hugh Jackman or evenn Crowe for that matter) and use American accents are offending US nationals with their appropriation?

Come on…

[–] Egosomnia (794) 10 months ago

Haha! You had me going there for a minute - till it got to the "I bet you all the tea in China". :) :) :)

[–] FootOfDavros (7335) 10 months ago

Ha ha - Good spot!

Funnily enough, I got around to seeing this last weekend and it was pretty funny how they handled the English speaking.

Sometimes they just switched half way though a chat from Italian into English. And there was even a case when some Vatican chap went something like "And now, as agreed, we will conduct proceedings in English". And he even corrected Crowe when he started speaking in Italian!

Pretty sure the actual Vatican wouldn't be conducting business in English.

[–] Egosomnia (794) 10 months ago

I saw it the other day, too. Wasn't bad, got a little bit overwrought in the second half, but overall not a bad way to spend an afternoon. Fun to find the parallels with Friedkin's "The Exorcist".

I thought Russell Crowe got the Italian accent spot on when speaking English. I don't know how accurate his actual Italian speech was, but to an English-speaking audience it wouldn't matter.

But man, is that guy getting fat!! I believe he spends a lot of time in Italy, so he's probably having too much linguini. :)

[–] FootOfDavros (7335) 10 months ago

Yeah, he'll need a reinforced Lambretta if they ever make a sequel!

I would agree - not the best but definitely worth a watch. Good fun watching the usual horror nonsense, e.g. the son's demonically possessed but the mother and daughter are just getting on with it sleeping in opposite end of the building (!) or the priests just leave them to it to go and investigate the creepy courtyard crypt...

[–] Egosomnia (794) 10 months ago

"a reinforced Lambretta".

Haha, yep!

Yes, there were a few loose ends and unlikely scenarios that didn't make sense. I think they just couldn't wait to get to the creepy stuff.

[–] Hybrid66 (1505) 8 months ago

He kissed meg Ryan once....Unacceptable, I'm almost offended.