Director
Jim Sheridan brings us the story of spastic quadriplegic Christy Brown,
played by Daniel Day-Lewis. Based on the autobiography by Christy
Brown himself, the film covers Christy's struggle from childhood to
prove he was not useless, despite only being able to use his left foot
to do anything. This is a powerful and moving film,
and doesn't shirk any responsibility by glossing over the tough times
in Christy's life, or "sugaring" them, as Hollywood is wont
to do- this is the real McCoy. Day-Lewis gives just one of the
many superb performances here, though his is by far the most powerful.
He is almost aggressive in the role, managing to capture every range
of emotion, while all the time concentrated on the effective portrayal
of Christy's disability. It is very difficult to imagine anyone
else in the role, or at least anyone who could bring the same power
to it. Not difficult to see why he won an Oscar. Brenda
Fricker as his mother also picked up an Oscar for her performance, almost
as powerful as Day-Lewis', while Paddy McNally as his father is also
excellent, and probably should have had one. Such is the effectiveness
of the acting that the storyline is as compelling and as watchable as
any, while Sheridan's direction adds a sparkle that runs throughout
underneath; there is no plea for sympathetic nodding here, just a captive
audience to watch and understand that what you see is so often not the
real truth. A superb example of a tale
told brilliantly and emotionally, without any of the guff that accompanies
so many films of the genre.DJY
STORYLINE:
N/A (based on an autobiography) ACTING: 87% SPECIAL EFFECTS: N/A CINEMATOGRPAHY: 80%
Overall:
88%
Main
Cast List Daniel Day-Lewis .... Christy
Brown Brenda Fricker .... Mrs.
Brown Alison Whelan .... Old Sheila Kirsten Sheridan .... Sharon
Brown Declan Croghan .... Old
Tom Eanna MacLiam .... Old Benny Marie Conmee .... Sadie Cyril Cusack .... Lord Castlewelland Phelim Drew .... Brian Ruth McCabe (I) .... Mary
Carr Fiona Shaw .... Doctor Eileen
Cole Ray McAnally .... Mr. Brown Patrick Laffan .... Barman Derry Power .... Customer
in Bar Hugh O'Conor .... Christy
Brown (child)
