Released in 1989
Genre- Biographical/Drama
Beyond any critical rating
Main Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Hugh O’Conor
Based on “My Left Foot”, the 1954 autobiography by Christy Brown
Screenplay: Shane Connaughton & Jim Sheridan
Direction- Jim Sheridan
This is a very special post and I feel very fortunate to write about this film.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION Based on a true story, the plot of the movie revolves around an extraordinary person with cerebral palsy, who later becomes an artist and a writer. Events in the film depict his experiences with his own self, his family, different people, and the world, and that he was not less than anyone in any aspect just because of a condition. It’s an inspiring journey to learn from.
The Element of Truth In a general way, it might not be very important for the audience to have the element of truth in the character or the film but for me, it becomes very important to have that element of truth in the film especially when it is based on an autobiography and My Left Foot fulfilled it for me. What is the Element of Truth, and where does it come from? Element of truth in a simple way means that the characters keep themselves true/honest to the story and the world they are portrayed in.
The Performances Very rarely, it happens that you see a truly honest performance, a performance straight from the heart. My Left Foot is a film in which all the actors, especially the ones who played Christy Brown, Hugh O’Connor who played young Christy Brown for a brief time in the film and Daniel Day-Leiws who played the adult Christy, both of them put their heart and soul into the character. And I am not just saying this because I am a huge fan of Lewis but it is so evident in the film that one can’t deny it.
Daniel Day-Lewis There are very less actors in the world, who go to that extent, psychologically and emotionally, to get under the skin of the character because, sometimes it even gets difficult to return from there and its too expensive psychologically but Daniel Day-Lewis is one actor, who in every performance, proved that he goes to that extent, that far, to bring the perfection, that edge in front of the camera. The way he portrayed Christy Brown, changed my whole perception of acting. All the expressions, actions, and even the smallest attention to detail, no wonder he won the Academy Award for his performance in this role. Along with Lewis, Brenda Fricker, who played mother Brown in the film, also won the Academy Award for her role in the film. The cast and the film won several accolades, including Academy Award and BAFTA.
P.S. Don’t miss this one, it truly is a masterpiece, a rare gem.
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