MovieChat Forums > Ironclad (2011) Discussion > Giamatti miscast?

Giamatti miscast?

posted 12 years ago by targa9
10 replies | jump to latest

I like Giamatti (he was great as John Adams), but playing a British sovereign?
Although it is true the language back then was not yet "the King's English" (although John was the first to speak English), there were several times when Giamatti used American hard "r's" and his loud, barking manner did not befit a cultured and educated monarch, even if he was hated and treacherous. I just could not picture him as John; in the first scene, I thought he was simply the King's ambassador.

[–] piazzollachick 12 years ago

The pronunciation of hard Rs was meant to convey a little known chapter of King John's history wherein he was fostered by peasants in Somerset. ;-)

[–] Laserseightoclockdayone 9 years ago

The pronunciation of hard Rs was meant to convey a little known chapter of King John's history wherein he was fostered by peasants in Somerset. ;-)

Um, English was a rhotic language until the 19th century.

Regardless of that, every noble in this film would have ABSOLUTELY spoken French when addressing each other.

[–] Raiyne388 12 years ago

YES.

[–] heilmanlynn 12 years ago

you might think he would be. but he played a great bad guy in big fat liar and he plays a great spoiled tyrant king. he really makes me hate the character of king john.

[–] GrumpyEuryale 12 years ago

He was portraying a mediaeval English speaker with a French mother, give him a break. If he'd attempted a real mediaeval accent few of you would have understood a word he said. I thought he was excellent, and at least was a proper Plantagenet - redheaded and crazy with it!

[–] Dust_Indotex 11 years ago

If you had a problem with the way he spoke, then what do you think about all the dialogue being modern English? They would've been speaking old or Middle English in reality. Go read the Canterbury Tales in its original vernacular and tell me you understand it.

Tha said, Giammatti is a great actor, I watch movies just because he's in them. His speeches about hi sight to be a King and his father's peaches are two things that made tIf you had a problem with the way he spoke, then what do you think about all the dialogue being modern English? They would've been speaking old or Middle English in reality. Go read the Canterbury Tales in its original vernacular and tell me you understand it.

Tha said, Giammatti is a great actor, I watch movies just because he's in them. His speeches about his right to be a King and his father's peaches are two things that made this movie (IMO) into an "8" rather than a "7."his movie (IMO) into an "8" rather than a "7."

[–] PandaBear8 11 years ago

So who would be better for the role?

[–] fnj2002 10 years ago

It is literally IMPOSSIBLE to miscast Mr. Giamatti. He is an actor's actor who nails every role he undertakes. He is enormously talented and hard working, one of the foremost masters of the art.

[–] annlevtex 10 years ago

Well, to be fair, he'd be miscast as a male stripper or something. Otherwise I agree. Some thought he was miscast as John Adams but he was awesome. He's a great actor. I love him in JA, in Cinderella Man, in Saving Mr. Banks. And he was the best part - perhaps the ONLY good part - of the S4 Christmas Special of Downton Abbey, which was otherwise boring and silly.

[–] Kan-3 10 years ago

It took me a few moments but I soon found Giamatti utterly credible. I found his portrayal riveting, complex and convincing.