Andrew Garfield rarely gets the chance to showcase his native British accent in his film roles, making his latest project, ‘We Live in Time’, a notable exception. In a recent TikTok video promoting the film, both Garfield and co-star Florence Pugh shared their experiences of performing in their natural accents, which they seldom do in their acting careers.
While Garfield holds dual British and American citizenship, he is best known for his roles in films such as ‘The Social Network’, ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’, and ‘Hacksaw Ridge’, all of which feature him speaking with an ‘American accent’.
Image Courtesy: People
Pugh highlighted the rarity of their situation, saying, “This is my second movie doing my own voice, but it has been a long time.” She mentioned that people often question the authenticity of her accent during interviews, leading to misconceptions about her true voice.
“In fact, many people think that when I speak in my accent in interviews that I’m lying and I’m putting on a fake one,” Pugh admitted, emphasising the reality of her accent.
Image Courtesy: People
Garfield echoed her sentiments, acknowledging that this film marks a significant moment for him. “I think it’s the first time, maybe, I’m using my — yeah, yeah, that’s true, I think that’s true,” he reflected, acknowledging the novelty of the experience.
Pugh, originally from Oxford, is also known for her portrayals of American characters in films like ‘Little Women and Midsommar’, and has even experimented with different accents, including a Russian accent in her role as Yelena Belova in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The conversation between the two actors illustrates the challenges performers face in adapting to different accents, often leading to a disconnection from their authentic selves.
-Sushmita Sarkar