My Left Foot (1989)

 My Left Foot (1989)

My Left Foot is a brilliant film. It is a small Irish movie about a gifted man being dealt a bad hand with the crippling disease cerebral palsy. What I like about Jim Sheridan’s flick is that he did not set out to make an inspirational or sentimental film, yet it does inspire. Christy Brown is a real figure who, despite his late start, became an artist and author who left behind works and of course inspiration for people in similar situations. Daniel Day-Lewis delivered some successful performances, but he really became known to Hollywood with his Oscar-winning performance. Dustin Hoffman won the previous year for his Rain Man performance, one that tackles similar disability issues. As great as that performance was, Day-Lewis took it a step higher and became the character. In addition, the film manages to be funny. There are some scenes that had me laughing out loud. Christy playing goalkeeper in a soccer match is one of those scenes.

Just for the heck of it, I tried to imagine myself typing this review or writing words or even painting pictures just using my left toes. The thought of myself doing so made me almost lose my mind. It shows the perseverance of this man, because any lesser man would have given up way, way sooner. In fact, as gifted as Day-Lewis is with his acting talent, many of his scenes had to be filmed through a mirror because he could get his left foot to replicate the actions of Christy’s. Shane Connaughton’s and Jim Sheridan’s screenplay made it especially clear that Christy Brown was no saint. Undeniably gifted but no Helen Keller. He is just one of those rogue Irishmen with a foul mouth with the only difference is that he has a disability. From start to finish, Sheridan gives a thoughtful evaluation of a complicated man. He does not create an inspirational or sympathetic film, yet people can find those things in Brown’s words, actions, and legacy.

The movie tells the story about Christy Brown (Daniel Day-Lewis) who was born and raised in Dublin. The story chronicles the rise of Christy as a child (played wonderfully by Hugh O’Conor) needing around-the-clock care to becoming a successful poet. He grew up thirteen siblings and a less-than-supportive father (although there is a great scene where he admits he will not institutionalize no child of his). Mrs. Brown (Brenda Fricker) is very supportive of her son. With the inability to speak as a child, he surprised everyone except for his mother when he proved he was acutely aware of everything that was happening around him. He used a paintbrush with his two left toes to express himself. His speaking ability is helped thanks to the services of Dr. Eileen Cole (Fiona Shaw), a therapist. As seeks independence, his mother worries about him because of people that would take advantage of him.

If people did not know who Daniel Day-Lewis was, now they know. As a method actor, his craft became him. I was enthralled with the nuances of his performance. He was funny when he needed to be, and a jerk when he needed to be. He was an alcoholic as evident in the opening scene where a whiskey bottle is slipped into him at an awards ceremony. Like all men, he wanted to find love. He fell in love with his therapist, and you could feel the heartbreak in some emotional scenes when he discovers Dr. Cole is going to be married. Brenda Fricker never gets much recognition, so it can be surprising to learn she won an Academy Award for her brilliant performance. She is the film’s moral conscience and a good influence on her son.

My Left Foot is a film that will captivate you because of Daniel Day-Lewis’s and Brenda Fricker’s masterful performances. It is also proof that Hollywood can back small films for the big awards. It did not win Best Picture, but there was a consensus several years ago that voters admitted if given the chance to change picks, they would choose this film to win. I would have agreed with the decision. I liked how Sheridan made the film without being overly sentimental and isn’t afraid to show a bad side of a supposed “inspiration.” As a smaller British film, this is the type of film that is not made anymore for theaters. If anything, it is proof that Day-Lewis is an acting legend.

My Grade: A-