Ey up lass!

Anne Hathaway's attempt at a Yorkshire accent in the film "One Day" has come in for much criticism and ridicule.  I haven't seen the film, but I bet most of us in this country who live outside Yorkshire would struggle to imitate the accent.  The question is of course, why did they choose an American actress for the part - I'm sure there must be many actresses born and bred in Yorkshire who could have filled the role.  Is this another example of the American public not taking a film seriously unless there is an American actor or actress playing a lead?  Remember the way the story of "The Great Escape" from Stalag Luft III had to be rewritten for the film so that an American (Steve McQueen) could take a completely fictitious central role?