Looking back at Aussie accents on film as Dev Patel chance for Oscar

DEV PATEL’S Oscar nomination for his portrayal of an adopted Australian boy gives us a chance to look back on the good, bad and ugly Aussie accents on film.

Dev Patel arrives at the Oscars, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Picture: AP

WITH AUSSIE film Lion expected to net a few Oscars, it’s star Dev Patel was tipped to become the first Indian actor to win the coveted trophy.

He didn’t win, but Patel’s performance and ability to do an Australian accent should be celebrated.

But what makes his nomination so exciting was that Patel, an English actor, has nailed the notoriously difficult Aussie accent in his portrayal of Saroo Brierley, a young Indian boy adopted by a couple from Tasmania.

Many have tried and failed to get the knack of our accent, and it gives us a chance to look back on some of the best, and worst, attempts.

Dev Patel — Lion

It took eight months for Patel to master the accent with the help of a dialect coach from Sydney. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, up against Jeff Bridges, Mahershala Ali, Lucas Hedges and Michael Shannon. But lost out to Mahershala Ali for his role in Moonlight.

Dev Patel arrives at the 2017 Oscars, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Picture: Jordan Strauss

Daniel Radcliffe — December Boys

Best known for his role as Harry Potter, Radcliffe didn’t exactly master the Aussie dialect in the coming of age flick. The film follows four orphan boys from an orphanage in outback Australia.

Actor Daniel Radcliffe visited Australia to promote December Boys.

Quentin Tarantino — Django Unchained

Wow, we know Tarantino isn’t an actor, but there is no excuse for how bad his accent really was. It was a long, unnecessary part of the film that has been widely criticised.

Director Quentin Tarantino on set of film Django Unchained

Meryl Streep — Evil Angels

It was always going to be hard to master the accent of a Kiwi-born Aussie, but acting superstar Streep really seemed to struggle in this film.

Actor Meryl Streep as Lindy Chamberlain in Evil Angels.

Celebrated actor Meryl Streep struggled with the Australian accent in Evil Angels. Picture: AFP

Kate Winslet — Holy Smoke

It’s so good you’d be forgiven for forgetting Winslet isn’t actually an Aussie. And she backed it up again in The Dressmaker.

British actor Kate Winslet in scene from film Holy Smoke.

Mick Jagger — Ned Kelly

It’s hard to say whether the accent is a bad attempt or whether he was even trying to sound Australian, or he just made an accent up.

The Rolling Stones band member, Mick Jagger in the film "Ned Kelly" from 1970. Picture: Supplied

Did we miss any? Let us know about the good, the bad and the ugly Aussie accents on film below.

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