10 Formerly Great Film Roles That Are Horribly Awkward Today
7. Keanu Reeves Dracula
This entry was awkward enough at the time, so it kind of goes against the title, but considering Dracula the film has got better with age due to its lack of reliance on CGI and well put together set design/costumes, it is now even more of a shame that the experience is still totally destroyed by Reeves' accent. Going back to revisit this film may leave you pleasantly surprised with how beautiful it all looks, how intense Gary Oldman is and how insanely good the model sets and non-computer generated trickery are, all withstanding the test of time. Unfortunately for all those good points, the one thing that shines above everything else in terms of its longevity is the truly awful performance from Mr. Reeves. It is a true shame that the entire film is completely overshadowed and often only remembered for housing the very worst English accent you will hear in any film topping even the woeful Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins, who was at least purposefully opting for light hearted. Keanu Reeves is very much a one trick kind of actor playing gruff, strong/silent, all-American heroes seems to be where his wheelhouse, and something he's turned into a lucrative career. Trying to play a Victorian Englishman, in the leading role no less, is frankly so absurd it is a wonder nobody mentioned it on set, especially native Cockney Gary Oldman.