My Left Foot Movie Review

My Left Foot (1989)

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Written by: Shane Connaughton & Jim Sheridan (screenplay), Christy Brown (book) 
Directed by: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan 
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
Christy Brown is a man with Cerebral Palsy who learns to cope in life using his left foot.

Verdict
While it's inspiring to see what he accomplished, it's never touching. It's simply an acknowledgement of his life that doesn't translate his determination to film. A great performance from Day-Lewis can't make this into anything more than a story that is notable just because of his disability.
It depends.

Review
The opening scene showcases solid foot acting. This is very much a physical performance and Daniel Day-Lewis steals the show. This isn't dissimilar to The Theory of Everything where Eddie Redmayne's performance overshadowed the movie. Without the physical performances, there wouldn't be much left to either movie.

While the kid actor does a good job, Day-Lewis is uncanny. Without him or with a lessor actor, there might not be enough her to carry the movie. He's completely believable. Day-Lewis is a method actor, and as you might assume he didn't break character between takes. He remained hunched over in his wheelchair, and the cast even had to help him eat between scenes. While in the movie he uses his left foot, many scenes were done with a mirror as only his right foot was coordinated enough to complete the scenes.

My Left Foot - Daniel Day-Lewis doing his thing.

You feel bad for Christy because his family just assumes he's dumb since he can't communicate. It's not until he scribbles "mother" on the floor with his foot that they realize he's not. Even then his parents underestimate him.

Despite his accomplishments, it's surprising how little his parents think of him. While his brothers do include him in various games, his father still doesn't realize his intelligence and his mother is pessimistic that speech and physical therapy gives him too much hope.
He's an inspiration. We often complain about why we can't reach goals because of what we lack, but Christy lacks so much yet is able to paint and write with only his left foot. He plays ball with his brothers.

The restaurant scene is stand out. Christy is upset when he realizes his doctor has a life outside of him and is engaged. Christy had a crush on her, and despite his limited range of communication Day-Lewis conveys the emotion of the scene expertly. Christy's reaction is crude, but it's all he can do with limited abilities.

This is contrasted with the bar fight scene which is a complete change of tone. It would have felt completely normal if this were a comedy, but it's not. It's an absurd scene with grannies breaking bottles over people's heads.

Christy Brown is an inspiration, but this movie is a showcase for Daniel Day-Lewis. Either Day-Lewis is just too good, or the writing didn't rise to the actor.