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My Left Foot

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My Left Foot

R

Released Nov 10, 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

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.

Sep 11, 2023

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

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

Jun 12, 2020

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

It is a spellbinding journey.

Jun 12, 2020

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Sue Heal

Radio Times

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.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 17, 2024

Full Review

Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

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.

Rated: 4/4

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Bill Cosford

Miami Herald

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

Rated: 3/4

Aug 16, 2021

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Margaret G

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

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Dionisis T

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

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Garrett B

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

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Kathryn V

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/24

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Audience Member

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

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

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J M

This is a hugely entertaining and refreshingly unsentimental biopic with a lot of heart and a surprising amount of humor. And it is anchored, of course, by the astonishing Oscar-winning performance by Day Lewis, whose brilliance goes beyond the obvious physical characteristics by making Christy a truly three-dimensional character. Brown was far from a saint, and there are moments when he is hell to be around. I think my favorite section of the film is his growing love for a doctor who is assisting him - a love that is sadly not reciprocated, at least romantically. Anyone who has fallen for someone who can't or won't share our feelings will painfully relate. As very good as the film is, it stops just short of greatness, and I'm not exactly sure why. It feels a bit slight overall, and I didn't feel a huge emotional connection to it. I also don't think it is able to make us fully realize the success he achieved outside of his personal triumphs overcoming his physical limitations. But that's just nit-picking, and all is forgiven when you're in the presence of a performance that feels like a privilege to watch. And kudos as well to Fricker, who also won an Oscar as Brown's mother. It's a bit of a stereotypical role, but she fills it with warmth and strength, and she couldn't be better. - Jeff Marshall, Movie Blogger (Facebook)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

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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

Camille Claudel

89%

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Camille Claudel

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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

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