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Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Best Actor Oscar (Day-Lewis), Best Picture Nomination, Best Supporting Actress Oscar (Fricker), Brenda Fricker, Christy Brown, Dr. Cole, Dublin, Fiona Shaw, General Comments, Irish, Jim Sheridan, Mary Carr, Movie Reviews, Mrs. Brown, Patrick ("Paddy") Brown, Ray McAnally, Reviews, Ruth McCabe, Very Highly Recommended Movie on June 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“My Left Foot” (1989) — movie review
Today’s review is for the biographical drama “My Left Foot“, directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Day‑Lewis as Christy Brown; Brenda Fricker as Christy’s mother, Mrs. Brown; Ray McAnally as Christy’s father, Patrick (“Paddy”) Brown; Fiona Shaw as Dr. Cole; and Ruth McCabe as Mary Carr, Christy’s eventual wife. This is a portrait of a man with severe cerebral palsy who refuses to be defined by anyone’s expectations.

Background: This was my first viewing of this film but I knew Daniel Day‑Lewis’s received an Oscar for his performance. Seeing it now, what stands out is how much the film avoids the usual inspirational‑biopic tone. It won two Academy Awards: Best Actor for Day‑Lewis and Best Supporting Actress for Brenda Fricker. It also helped establish Jim Sheridan as a major Irish filmmaker. It also arrived at a time when disabilities were rarely portrayed with realistic nuance in mainstream cinema, which gives the film additional lasting cultural weight.

Plot: The story follows Christy Brown from childhood through early adulthood in a crowded working‑class Dublin household. Born with cerebral palsy and unable to control anything except his left foot, Christy is assumed by neighbors and even some family members to be intellectually disabled. A breakthrough comes when he uses chalk between his toes to write a word (mother) on the floor, proving his intelligence and changing the course of his life. The film tracks his development as an artist (painter) and writer; his complicated relationships with his parents and siblings; his struggles with communication; and finally, his romantic disappointments and ultimate success. The narrative stays close to Christy’s perspective, showing both his brilliance and his volatility without smoothing over the rough edges.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: yes; exceptional; intimate, naturalistic filming; a few structural issues; absolutely.

Any good? Yes. The film succeeds because it refuses to turn Brown into a symbol or a lesson. It presents him as a full human being — stubborn, profane, gifted, jealous, funny, and often difficult. The honesty of that approach gives the film a weight that most biographical dramas never reach.

Acting: Daniel Day‑Lewis’s performance is as precise and committed as his (and the role’s) reputation suggests, but what makes it great is not the physical transformation; it’s the emotional clarity. He plays Christy as a man who demands to be taken seriously, even when he sabotages himself. Brenda Fricker is equally strong as his mother (Mrs. Brown), grounding the film with quiet persistence and unshowy strength. Ray McAnally brings depth to the role of Christy’s father, and the supporting cast fills out the Brown household with believable warmth and frustration.

Filming / FX: Sheridan shoots the film with a cramped and noisy realism, and the camera often stays at Christy’s level, forcing the viewer to experience the world as he does. The lighting is natural, the editing is unobtrusive, and the score is used sparingly. There are no flashy effects and that suits the material.

Problems: The film can feel episodic / set-piece, with some chapters of Christy’s life receiving more attention than others. The romantic storyline in the final act is honest but abbreviated, and the pacing occasionally slows / wanders. These issues don’t undermine the film.

Did I enjoy the film? Yes. It’s a tough, unsentimental movie, but it’s also deeply human. The family dynamics are vivid, the performances are rich, and the film’s refusal to simplify Christy Brown makes it far more compelling than a typical (Hollywood) biopic.

Final Recommendation: Very highly recommended. “My Left Foot” is a tough, honest, deeply human drama anchored by outstanding performances and clear, unfussy film making. It’s well worth your time to view.

Additional Note: With the review of this film, I have completed the reviews for the Best Picture, highest gross attendance, and all other Best Picture nominations for 1989. The reviews can be found off of my “Reviews Menu” page. The films included: “DRIVING MISS DAISY“; “BATMAN“; “DEAD POETS SOCIETY“; “FIELD OF DREAMS“; “BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY“; and “MY LEFT FOOT”. I’ve now completed reviews for three (1962, 1989, and 1990) of the ninety-seven years of Oscars.

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