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"Other offenders are California actors who sound like surfer dudes no matter who they are playing. I'm thinking of Kevin Costner sounding exactly the same as he does in real life while appearing in Robin Hood (England in the 17th century) and Dances with Wolves (the American West in the 19th century)."

I know what you mean and I agree. I do have to point out however, the movie "Immortal Beloved". I don't know if you ever saw the film or not, but it's a movie about the life and multiple loves of Beethoven. Gary Oldman (I think I spelled his name correctly) played the part of Beethoven. I have NEVER in my life heard a worse German accent. It was such a bad accent (or perhaps I should use the word accident), that it was actually a distraction throughout the movie. It was a great movie and I highly recommend it, but for that dreadful accent. I really wish the director would have instructed Gary just to use his regular voice. Watch it sometime, and you can see the immediate contrast with Gary and the other actors (almost all of whom were European). I have to give the film credit though. I developed much more respect for Beethoven and his music, when I saw a little glimpse of his life.

I do have to point out ..."Immortal Beloved"...about the life and multiple loves of Beethoven. Gary Oldman...played the part of Beethoven. I have NEVER in my life heard a worse German accent....I have to give the film credit though. I developed much more respect for Beethoven and his music, when I saw a little glimpse of his life.

I'll be on the lookout for it. I agree that many films are so rich in content that some flaws do not subtract from an overall sense of value. But it's a shame when the eagerness to push a movie product onto the market so overlooks the authenticity of language, especially when, as you earlier noted, great care is taken with visuals, like costumes.

If you've never seen Tom Hulce in Amadeus, you might enjoy this very light-hearted (but ultimately tragic) life of Mozart. I think F. Murray Abraham in the role of Salieri garnered an Oscar, or at least a nomination.

Immortal Beloved has elicited many a laugh from music lovers for the ridiculous scene where Beethoven is listening to a typically early 19th century small chamber orchestra playing his music and the soundtrack has George Solti leading the rather over-snonourous 100 piece Chicago symphony.