My Left Foot

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My Left Foot

R

1989

1h 43m

Biography

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Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

No one expects much from Christy Brown (Daniel Day-Lewis), a boy with cerebral palsy born into a working-class Irish family. Though Christy is a spastic quadriplegic and essentially paralyzed, a miraculous event occurs when, at the age of 5, he demonstrates control of his left foot by using chalk to scrawl a word on the floor. With the help of his steely mother (Brenda Fricker) -- and no shortage of grit and determination -- Christy overcomes his infirmity to become a painter, poet and author.

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Critics Consensus

No doubt most will come to My Left Foot for Daniel Day-Lewis' performance, but the movie's refusal to go downbeat will keep it in viewer minds afterwards.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

09/11/2023

This is Jim Sheridan’s first feature film, but he’s an experienced man of the theatre, with a moviemaker’s vision and a grownup’s sense of integrity.

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

06/12/2020

It's the kind of role that showoff stars leap at. Luckily for the film and us, an actor got there first.

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

06/12/2020

It is a spellbinding journey.

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Sue Heal

Radio Times

08/17/2024

5/5

A superb movie chronicling the life of writer and artist Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy, portrayed with astonishing passion and sensitivity by Daniel Day-Lewis.

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Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

05/09/2023

4/4

The lives depicted in My Left Foot are full-bodied, flesh and blood dramas of existence. There's no sentimentality in any of the performances.

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Bill Cosford

Miami Herald

08/16/2021

3/4

[Daniel Day-Lewis's] performance is extraordinary for its subtleties over the obvious physical manifestations The direction by Jim Sheridan is tough-edged.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 06/09/2025

1 hour and 43 minutes based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Margaret G

@RT62106578 03/07/2025

Many scenes are easily brought to mind, more than 35 years since its release. Daniel Day-Lewis vividly brought Christy Brown's talents, accomplishments and flaws to life. Brenda Fricke completely won me over as well.

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Dionisis T

@RT41898832 12/19/2024

Could possibly be one of the best things I saw this month!

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Garrett B

@gmoney637 12/15/2024

It contains good acting from Day-Lewis and Fricker. Very well done

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Kathryn V

@RT32297663 09/13/2024

The most moving movie I've seen since a young Patty Duke portrayed Helen Keller. Daniel Day Lewis has to be the best actor of the era.

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Russ G

@RT78760655 06/10/2024

I saw it in the theater at the time it was released and thought it kind'a suxed.

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Jim Sheridan

Director

Daniel Day-Lewis

Christy Brown

Ray McAnally

Mr. Brown

Brenda Fricker

Mrs. Brown

Ruth McCabe

Mary

Fiona Shaw

Dr. Eileen Cole

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Synopsis

No one expects much from Christy Brown (Daniel Day-Lewis), a boy with cerebral palsy born into a working-class Irish family. Though Christy is a spastic quadriplegic and essentially paralyzed, a miraculous event occurs when, at the age of 5, he demonstrates control of his left foot by using chalk to scrawl a word on the floor. With the help of his steely mother (Brenda Fricker) -- and no shortage of grit and determination -- Christy overcomes his infirmity to become a painter, poet and author.

Director: Jim Sheridan
Producer: Noel Pearson
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Granada Television
Rating: R
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 10, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.5M
Runtime: 1h 43m