Films Revisited


After watching his amazing performance in There Will Be Blood, I felt I owed it to myself as a fan of cinema to view Daniel Day Lewis' other Oscar-winning performance in Jim Sheridan's film My Left Foot. The film is a biopic portrayal of Christy Brown, a Dublin-born Irishman who suffered from cerebral palsy and could only freely control his left foot. Born into a poor yet supportive Irish family, Brown would overcome initial labels as a vegetable and ultimately prove his keen intelligence by developing into a painter, poet, and best-selling author (he painted and typed using only his foot). The story is inspirational, but what makes this film so effective is Day Lewis' unwaivering devotion to his character. During the filming of My Left Foot, Day Lewis was so fully dedicated to his role that he broke two ribs.

Sometimes Day Lewis' portrayal of Brown isn't pretty: he's talented and witty yet extremely moody and volatile. It seems that at the core of Christy's frustration is an undying need to be accepted and loved despite his limitations. One particularly unnerving and brilliant scene in the film takes place at a dinner celebrating the unveiling of his artwork in an exhibit. Sitting next to Eileen, the doctor who has helped him develop his immeasurable talents, Christy confesses his love for her only to be rebuffed and told that she plans to marry the gallery owner. What follows is a memorable outburst in which he spits out a defiant "Con-grat-u-la-tions," proceeds to bang his head on the dinner table and ultimately yanks off the tablecloth with his teeth. It's truly one of the best acted scenes I've ever witnessed.

The strength of My Left Foot is that it never comes off as forced. Shots never linger a frame too long, and the line of sentimentality that is so often trampled in modern cinema is never crossed. The film's view of Christy never comes from an angle of pity, but rather it serves as a testament to an artist's unparalleled anguish. Day Lewis, a master of his craft and undoubtedly one of the finest actors of our time, is at the top of his game in My Left Foot. Highly recommended viewing. -- Capt. Obvious