Why is the Boston accent so darned difficult?

[xiphias]

It's well-known that good Boston accents in films are few and far between. When you list actors who can do it, you've got Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Seth McFarland, Dennis Leary. Even Eliza Dukshu is only okay. And they're all FROM Boston. Heck, I can't do a good Boston accent, and I've lived here my entire life.

It's easy to list movies with terrible Boston accents -- but are there any actors who can do good Boston accents who aren't from Boston?

Comments

[ellettra.livejournal.com]

Nothing to add, but super fascinating thread. I love talking about people's accents. I had no idea Boston accents could vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but I guess that does make sense given the old-days segregation which probably contributed a great deal to the sounds and cadences of words now.