Question for movie watchers in the UK?

Question

Hello in the UK! I am from the USA and I've watched some movies made in the UK. I find some of them difficult to understand, partially because I don't quite understand your accents combined with the terms and slang you use. Especially British humor. I just don't get it!

My question is, do you find the same is true for you when you watch American movies? Do you find American-made movies difficult to understand? I'd really be interesting in hearing your opinion. Thanks.

Answer 1

We are so used to American English on TV and in the Movies that it's really not difficult to understand. I find some cultural references difficult such as the school year system. Watch more British TV and you'll soon get used to it and enjoy it, we did with the American stuff!

Answer 2

I don't find American films difficult to understand usually when it comes to slang and other Americanized expressions, but if there are Deep South accents then I'll turn the sound up and the subtitles on, because it is difficult at first until you get into it.

British movies are a lot more subtle than American movies, and our humour is very different. American films I have found tend not only to be more slapsticky in their humour, but also prefer to have happier endings.

Thats not to say England can't turn out sappy movies and actors (Hugh Grant) for instance, but because we are such a smaller country, our films are budgeted on a far smaller scale which means we have to be especially careful about the acting quality, since the effects leave much to be desired.

Overall there is no right or wrong about it- I have English friends who adore American comedies like Scrubs, and love American movies, just as I know Americans who love the sly humour and downplay of British features

Answer 3

I can understand American films because in Britain we hear American accents on tv every day, although the Brooklyn accent is confusing. I can understand why some British accents are difficult to understand, like Scouse or Cockney, because sometimes I can't!

I think we Brits use a lot of sarcasm and irony and some cleverer humour that a lot of Americans don't get, but I think Americans are seeing the funnier side now, especially with cringe humour (Ricky Gervais, Sacha Baron Cohen). I find that American humour is a lot easier to understand, like a lot of slapstick.

Don't worry, some Brits don't understand some things either, British or American!

Answer 4

I don't have a problem understanding the American accents and the humor is really universal. I think Britain does have it's own sense of humor though. As for the accents, I am from Scotland and people from England don't always understand what I say so if you find English films difficult, don't try to watch a film like Trainspotting with Scottish accents.

Answer 5

No not really. I mean of course sometimes there are parts of a movie that is just so strange and the way we react to films are different. For example, high school musical was apparently raved about in america and when it was released over here it wasnt really that big a deal. I would've said that the only thing i dont understand in some american movies is the slang but then different places have different slang so unless a movie is made from your town then you are bound to not understand certain parts/words.

Answer 6

I like some American movies but when it comes to comedy, I hate it when they exaggerate. Its embarrassing. I can understand American accent because I used to watch alot of American films and tv shows. I love the texan accent. American Gothic. I can understand the Irish accent on t.v but when I am speaking to someone I hardly understand a word. I would pick the English accent though. Not the scallywags one or the posh one. The in between one.

Answer 7

The British accent mate sounds more ROYAL while american sounds typical no offense and Britsh movies with dark humor especially like Keeping Mum and Eulogy and others are a bit difficult for ppl in America to get used to as they are more native jokes

Answer 8

The vast majority of films are american so you get used to american accents and references so no I have never had a problem understanding.

Family guy is filled with what I assume are american references so some of the jokes seem a bit random. its funny though.

You should watch "51s state". Its a film about an american gangster (Samuel L Jackson) coming to Britain and getting involved with British gangsters and all sorts mis communications because of the culture differences. With hilarious consequences.

Answer 9

Hi! I am from Australia, and love the classic British stuff (monty python rocks my world), but like American stuff too (although that is where most of the comedy we have access to comes from).

I find English tv and movies have lot more subtle humour, than the 'loud' stuff that you guys mostly come up with. I am very suprised you can't understand the accent, as its usually not toooo stong...

Anyway, of course the slang might be different, and we don't understand all of yours but because we are so often exposed to it we don't notice much.

I love them both - but you Yanks better not copy Little Britain like you did The Office!

Answer 10

We have so much American TV and film shown over here that I don't have a problem understanding it.

Also, our humour is very different - ours is more dry and sarcastic which you don't really have over there so are not likely to get most of it.

I lived in Connecticut for three years so sometimes I hear slang that I know I wouldn't have noticed before but it wouldn't have detracted from the movie or show.