Rating: R
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: 11/10/1989(USA)
Release Date: 08/16/2005
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English/French
Sound: DD5.1
Run Time: 103 Minutes
Flags: Violence, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Profanity, Watch With Your Teen
Distributor/Studio: Miramax
An alternative to the general run of "triumph over the odds"
biopics,
My Left Foot is the true story of Irish cerebral palsy victim
Christy Brown. Paralyzed from birth,
Brown (played by
Hugh O'Conor as child and
Daniel Day-Lewis as an adult) is written off as retarded and helpless. But
Christy's indomitable mother (
Brenda Fricker) never gives up on the boy. Using his left foot, the only part of his body not afflicted,
Brown learns to write. He grows up to become a well-known author, painter, and fundraiser, and along the way falls in love with nurse
Mary Carr (
Ruth McCabe). There's no sugarcoating in
My Left Foot:
Brown, a heavy drinker, was by no means lovable.
Day-Lewis and
Fricker both won Academy Awards for their performances, and the film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Also notable are the late
Ray McAnally in his next-to-last film role as
Christy's father, and venerable
Cyril Cusack as
Lord Castlewelland. Director
Jim Sheridan co-scripted with
Shane Connaughton from
Christy Brown's autobiography.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
