Tom Hanks might be known as one of the biggest and most talented stars in Hollywood - but even the greats can make mistakes. While his co-star Austin Butler has managed to secure an Oscar nomination for his performance in the 2022 film Elvis, Hanks and his bizarre Dutch accent have been “honoured” with two Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzie) nominations - AKA, a nomination for being one of the worst performances of the year.
Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis - which was released in Dutch cinemas last June - was a real feast for the senses, and explored the rise and fall of the iconic rockstar and sex symbol that was Elvis Presley. While the film’s title suggests that Elvis (played by Austin Butler) was the star of the show, the character and actor that really had audiences talking after the film’s release was Tom Hanks’ Colonel Tom Parker.
The film is told from the perspective of Parker, who was born in Breda in 1909 as Dries van Kuijk, before moving to the United States at the age of 18, where he lived out the rest of his life. Hanks’ portrayal of Parker caused a significant amount of confusion, as audiences were left unable to place his rather unusual accent.
According to biographer Alanna Nash, the real Tom Parker sounded absolutely nothing like Hanks’ version of the man. In an interview with Variety, Nash explained that Parker “had what sounded like a slight lisp or speech impediment. Turns out he didn’t have an impediment - he was just trying to wrap a Dutch tongue around the English language, Southern-style.”
When Elvis premiered at Cannes last year, Hanks refused to answer any questions about the accent he adopts in the film, but according to Nash, director Baz Luhrmann had intended for his version of Parker to have a more ambiguous accent: “Baz wanted to make him seem more “other”. Or as Baz told me in an interview, “I thought it was very important that Tom present the audience with a strangeness”.”
Well, it’s been a while since the film’s release, but Hanks’ confusing and at times laughable accent has not been forgotten. The actor, who is undoubtedly one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars and has been the recipient of not one but two Academy Awards throughout his career, was this week nominated for two Razzie awards for his performance in Elvis.
Hanks has been nominated in the categories of Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Onscreen Couple, for his relationship with “His Latex-Laden Face (and Ludicrous Accent)”. In addition to his Elvis nominations, Hanks also features in the category Worst Actor for his performance as Gepetto in Disney’s live-action remake of Pinocchio.
This year marks the 43rd edition of the Razzie Awards, which will be held on March 11 - the day before the 95th Academy Awards - so we’ll have to wait a couple of weeks to find out whether or not Tom Hanks will be going home with any Golden Raspberries.
Thumb: Fred Duval via Shutterstock.com.