MovieChat Forums > The Limey (1999) Discussion > stamp underrated

stamp underrated

posted 16 years ago by movingmassage
4 replies | jump to latest

IMO Terence Stamp is one of the most underrated British actors ever. Witness his performances in The Limey and My Wife Is An Actress, both of which he portrays mature men who are totally believable. I grew up as a child in the 1960s so Stamp is only about 10 years older than I am, and everything about The Limey rings true. Many critics have denigrated Stamp's accent and the script's "over-use" of cockney rhyming. But to me it is a superb authentic portrayal of a man of that age. I know eastenders like this who still actually speak this way, as though the 60s is still around the corner for them. I would love to see the BFI write a critique about this film, deconstructing each scene, because it so deserves it. I wish Stamp received recognition for this role in particular.

[–] Abe_Raman 16 years ago

Where are you from? His cockney accent in this film is indescribably bad. He even allows his character to speak the line "you wrote me about me daughter", which nobody in Britain would say, no matter how americanised the southern English are getting nowadays.

Stamp should never be forgiven for his performance in this film. It could have been good, instead it's just fluff for the yanks.

[–] balthazar_bee 16 years ago

As a canuck, I was fooled by his "indescribably bad" accent as well, and respectfully disagree about the quality of his performance.

On another note, I just saw "The Hit" for the first time (bless you, Criterion) and was pretty much astounded by Stamp. He was just so commanding on screen.

[–] fanaticita 15 years ago

I'm a long time fan of Terence Stamp and have seen just about every film he's made. I don't know if he is underrated or he made a lot of wise investments and doesn't need to make tons of films. He also has a health food business that adds to his income. But, I have to say, please make more films Terence!!!! We luv ya!

[–] pattimalley 8 years ago

I'm from Boston and often hear the Boston accent attempted in films. Some are very good. The film, "The Departed" is an excellent example. While it is a top notch film and the actors are wonderful. I can't help but chuckle at the "Great" Jack Nicolson fake a South Boston accent. He doesn't get close to the true Bostonians native accent. Leanardo DiCaprio doesn't even try and I appreciate that. So many films attempt to sound like a Bostonian. Don't even try. In college, the professors try to beat it out of you, with minimal success. The show "Ray Donavan" Ray and his wife pose as South Boston natives and they do it so well, I would believe both grew up on "D" Street. Only time I've second guessed the many films with character actors pretending they have ever walked down "L"Street .