Deniros accent - This Boy's Life (1993) Discussion

[–] rgodfrey-2 11 years ago

It sounds like a combo of New England and Michigan. Does anyone think it sounds Northwestern?

I suppose, decades ago.
Look at clips of Bill Gates interviews for a good sound of typical NW talk/accent.
(check jimi hendrix & curt cobain clips for more)

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[–] Ten-Inch-Toni 11 years ago

I've lived here in the Pacific Northwest since 82. Married into a family of 5 generation North Westerners. DeNiro's accent isn't us. It really is his own thing, I think. I love the actor, but all of his characters always sound a bit, NY thug to me no matter who they are supposed to be or what region they are supposed to come from.

It's entirely possible that I am missing the point of your message.

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[–] herbsuperb 9 years ago

I've lived here in the Pacific Northwest since 82. Married into a family of 5 generation North Westerners. DeNiro's accent isn't us. It really is his own thing, I think. I love the actor, but all of his characters always sound a bit, NY thug to me no matter who they are supposed to be or what region they are supposed to come from.

Hard to get a consensus on De Niro's accent in this one. I'm not from the NW so I can't comment on its authenticity. I would describe it as consistent throughout the film though. It's hard not to hear a bit of New York whenever De Niro is on the screen. In any case, regardless of authenticity to setting, I think the accent worked well for the character and the picture. I imagine he worked very hard on it to achieve that consistency, and it shows. He's one of the greats.

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[–] Katiedidd 8 years ago

Thank you. Born and grew up in Western WA since 1983. (It's funny; when I watch this film, I hardly think it's my home state. Maybe because I've never set foot in Concrete in my life.) No native talks the way Deniro does. I don't mind because he is awesome, but anyone saying maybe we sounded that way... no. My parents have lived there since the 50s. Ofher family since over one-hundred years ago.

This accent has never been native to Western WA. We PNWs promise you, folks.

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[–] nw_sea1 9 years ago

Wisconsin, some parts of Michigan, or Minnesota, I'd say. Doesn't sound anything like the Pacific Northwest.

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[–] brockmeeks 8 years ago

I just assumed he came from the Upper Midwest. Say, Chicago, Detroit, Michigan or Wisconsin maybe... I guessed he moved the Pacfic NW.

I did not like his accent here. It was pure 50's cheese, but I guess Dwight was a cheesy guy.

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[–] franchise5000 8 years ago

It sounds very western Pennsylvania

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[–] AnthonyManero 8 years ago

It sounds like Midwest/ Michigan-ish. I'm from the East Coast and I hear a similar accent with the Midwestern people that move here. I honestly find it annoying as f@ck!!!!!

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[–] kjmacdonald 8 years ago

People on this thread keep referring to Michigan, Wisconsin and Chicago. I'm from Michigan and Dwight's accent is not really Michigan at all. Think of the way he pronounced Concrete. The 'o' was almost like, "OOH-wah," so it sounded like COO-wahn-crete."

Michiganders have a more nasally affectation to their voices. Plug your nose and say, "KAHN-crete." That's more like a Michigan accent.

I have no idea what people in the Pacific Northwest sound like, but until recently, I always thought this movie took place in upper New England or something.

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[–] tmanqz 8 years ago

Sounds like Yooper Dialect. Upper Peninsula Michigan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRLzylG7Y7Q

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