Dicaprio's bad accent

Rating: 8/10 (21 March 2013)

good script great concept great cinematography succinct directing/editing top production logistics etc
the filmmakers made a valiant attempt to translate the strife of Africa for an American audience and I think they did a good job : its difficult translating such complex developing world issues for the broad indulged masses of the '1st world'
but Dicaprio has let the team down with his BAD poor effort of an ACCENT - he didn't study enough! its a terrible accent that distracts from the integrity of the story and the centred performances delivered by Djimon and the African actors ... Dicaprio does a good subtle job in the emotional reveal scene with Jennifer, its the scene where he's most focused ... but the quavering accent is distracting in the other parts of the film : he delivers the typical performance thats expected of a Hollywood blockbuster actor ... but its not Daniel Day Lewis 100%
I don't know why Dicaprio can't seem to shake the California crispness from his voice, he really needs to work on the consistency of this if he wants to develop as an actor - its an OK acting effort but not brilliant (about 70% there but its not Daniel Day Lewis who sets the benchmark of 100% commitment and homework on accents) ... to Dicaprio's credit he is doing a better job than many other 'actors' like Tom Cruise or Russell Crowe (who have so long ago lost their 'acting' ability : instead they sign a contract for millions, turn up on set, stroll in front of the camera and blankly recite a few lines)
which is a pity, because this film deserves better
so I give the Filmmaking team an 9/10 but Dicaprio only a 7/10