Movie-A-Day #378: My Left Foot

[KingLouieLouie]

Well, during my last movie-a-day week, I did a themed one, and I plan on doing another one starting w/this following film with one of the most underrated acting performances of all-time... True... Daniel Day-Lewis received an Oscar, but it still doesnt get talked about adequately enough:

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Per usual, I would like to thank my friends at amazon.com for the following:

Daniel Day-Lewis won a much-deserved Oscar for his wily, passionate performance as Irish artist and writer Christy Brown, whose cerebral palsy kept him confined to a wheelchair. Filmmaker Jim Sheridan (In the Name of the Father) adapts Brown's own autobiography for this spirited piece, focusing on the sometimes-difficult fellow's formative years in his large family and in love with sundry women. Day-Lewis is inspired, and Brenda Fricker (also a recipient of an Oscar for her part in this movie) is almost luminous as Christy's dedicated mother. So, too, are Ray McAnally as the hero's stormy father, and Hugh O'Conor (The Young Poisoner's Handbook) as the child Christy. All in all, this is a complete pleasure for viewers. --Tom Keogh

Plus... I came acrss another impressive review of this extremely compelling film:

http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=34071

PLOT DESCRIPTION

An alternative to the general run of "triumph over the odds" biopics, My Left Foot is the true story of Irish cerebral palsy victim Christy Brown. Paralyzed from birth, Brown (played by Hugh O'Conor as child and Daniel Day-Lewis as an adult) is written off as ******** and helpless. But Christy's indomitable mother (Brenda Fricker) never gives up on the boy. Using his left foot, the only part of his body not afflicted, Brown learns to write. He grows up to become a well-known author, painter, and fundraiser, and along the way falls in love with nurse Mary Carr (Ruth McCabe). There's no sugarcoating in My Left Foot: Brown, a heavy drinker, was by no means lovable. Day-Lewis and Fricker both won Academy Awards for their performances, and the film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Also notable are the late Ray McAnally in his next-to-last film role as Christy's father, and venerable Cyril Cusack as Lord Castlewelland. Director Jim Sheridan co-scripted with Shane Connaughton from Christy Brown's autobiography. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Personal Reaction:

I didnt watch "My Left Foot" in its actual entirety until a high school teacher brought it in for an inspirational story.... It had an immediate extreme profound impact on me.... Quite frankly, no one could have executed this extremely complex role no better than Daniel Day-Lewis who portrayed Christy Brown to the extent that you wouldnt think he was in character, that he actually was Brown himself... Just true realism at its finest on how he captured the essence so flawlessly..... Probably is one of the best adaptations of an autobiography ever as well.....

What really impacted me besides Day-Lewis' stunning acting was how straightforward the screen-play was.... I agree with the latter review how there was absolutely no sugarcoating done whatsoever.... True, it was heroic how Brown managed to defy the odds and persevere, but his downfalls were completely shown without detracting away from what type of a person he was..... Just again.... a very riveting glimpse of how someone coped with such a plight while excelling at the same time....

Definitely one of the best movies during that last quarter century and personally to me one of the most under-stated performances in recent memory in spite of all the accolades that Day-Lewis received.... I recommend it to anyone of all ages.... It's ideal especially for someone who has some limitations, but shouldnt allow that to maximize what full potential they can attain by sheer dedication and passion....

 

[Ryanwb]

DDL is awesome

 

[Bada0Bing]

I didnt watch "My Left Foot" in its actual entirety until a high school teacher brought it in for an inspirational story.... It had an immediate extreme profound impact on me.... Quite frankly, no one could have executed this extremely complex role no better than Daniel Day-Lewis who portrayed Christy Brown to the extent that you wouldnt think he was in character, that he actually was Brown himself... Just true realism at its finest on how he captured the essence so flawlessly..... Probably is one of the best adaptations of an autobiography ever as well.....

Recently watched it, completely agree with above. Both Tom Cruise and Robin Williams were outstanding in Born on the Fourth of July and Dead Poets Society, but I can't complain about the Academy's choice. If I didn't know better, I would have though they cast an actor that really did have cerebral palsy.

According to the "Making of My Left Foot" segment on the Special Edition DVD, Daniel Day-Lewis broke two ribs during filming from assuming the hunched-over position in his wheelchair for weeks of filming. He also would refuse to come out of character. On visits to the set canteen, other people would have to help him with food. On one visit from his English agent, Day-Lewis again refused to come out of character as Christy Brown, and his frustrated agent took off.

 

[Gaddabout]

So this is not the Joe Nedney story?

 

[Linderbee]

sigh...haven't seen this one, either. I've always wanted to.