My Left Foot
First screened in 1990 / Most recently screened in August 2014
Director: Jim Sheridan. Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Hugh O'Conor, Brenda Fricker, Fiona Shaw, Ray McAnally, Cyril Cusack, Alison Whelan, Kirsten Sheridan, Declan Croghan, Eanna MacLiam, Marie Conmee, Phelim Drew, Ruth McCabe, Eileen Colgan, Julie Hale, Jacinta Whyte, Adrian Dunbar. Screenplay: Jim Sheridan and Shane Connaughton (based on the book by Christy Brown).

 Twitter Capsule: Admirably tough at times. Privileges sentiment at others. All the more impressive that the actors conjure such truth.

VOR: ④  Day-Lewis, the most important film actor of his generation, had been brilliant before but really came out here. Remains a touchstone for representing disability, and complexly so.


Photo © 1989 Miramax Films/Ferndale Films/Granada Television

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B

Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture
Best Director: Jim Sheridan
★Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis
★Best Supporting Actress: Brenda Fricker
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jim Sheridan and Shane Connaughton

Golden Globe Nominations:
Best Actor (Drama): Daniel Day-Lewis
Best Supporting Actress: Brenda Fricker

Other Awards:
Independent Spirit Awards: Best Foreign Film
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture; Best Actor (Day-Lewis)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Actor (Day-Lewis); Best Supporting Actress (Fricker)
National Society of Film Critics: Best Actor (Day-Lewis)
Boston Society of Film Critics: Best Actor (Day-Lewis); Best Supporting Actress (Fricker)
British Academy Awards (BAFTAs): Best Actor (Day-Lewis); Best Supporting Actor (McAnally)
Permalink Home 1989 ABC Blog E-Mail