My Left Foot: The Inspiration Behind a Touching Story of the Resilience of the Human Spirit

      Hasitha Fernando reflects on the narrative behind My Left Foot…

      My Left Foot made a lasting impact on many viewers for several reasons. Firstly, it showcased a memorable performance by the incomparable Daniel Day-Lewis, and secondly, the film marked a significant milestone in the cinematic portrayal of disability. This endeavor also brought much-deserved recognition to Irish artist Christy Brown and shed light on the medical condition known as cerebral palsy. Now, 35 years after its U.S. debut, here are some intriguing behind-the-scenes insights regarding the film’s production…

      Christy Brown's story was a tragic one

      Christy Brown was diagnosed with the most severe type of cerebral palsy, known as spastic quadriplegia, just after his birth in 1932. This condition severely affected his upper and lower limbs, torso, and face. However, these physical limitations did not hinder Brown, the 10th of 22 children, from achieving global fame as a renowned artist and an accomplished writer. By the end of his diverse career, he was regarded as one of the most distinct creative voices of the 20th century. My Left Foot, which was based on Brown’s autobiography of the same title, narrates the challenges he faced throughout his life, from being a sickly, impoverished child to a conflicted adult gifted with extraordinary talent.

      Jim Sheridan has a personal connection to the story

      Prior to his success with My Left Foot in 1989, Jim Sheridan was primarily engaged in theatre and, along with his brother, wrote and staged plays in the late 1970s. After a short stint in Canada, Sheridan returned to Ireland and decided to pursue his first feature film. He chose to adapt Christy Brown’s book My Left Foot as he felt a personal connection to the story, having grown up in proximity to where the artist lived and knowing about him.

      Daniel Day-Lewis underwent intense preparation before filming

      Regarded today as one of cinema's greatest actors, Daniel Day-Lewis also came from a strong theatrical background, much like director Jim Sheridan. He shone on stage with the National Youth Theatre before being admitted to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where he studied for three years. Despite his rich classical theatre background, Day-Lewis adopted an extreme method acting style for his film roles, and My Left Foot was no exception.

      In preparation for portraying Christy Brown, Day-Lewis spent months observing individuals with cerebral palsy, dedicating significant time to the Sandymount School clinic in Dublin. He was particularly drawn to the opening scene of the script, where Brown uses his left foot to skillfully place a phonograph record on the player. Aware that executing such dexterity would be physically challenging, he found this detail fascinating. Day-Lewis flawlessly executed this opening scene in a remarkable single take during filming.

      The intense physical transformation of Day-Lewis caused issues for others

      As a method actor, Day-Lewis spared no effort in immersing himself in the role of the spastic quadriplegic Christy Brown. According to the "Making of My Left Foot" feature on the Special Edition DVD, his commitment resulted in him breaking two ribs while filming, as he maintained a hunched-over position in his wheelchair for extended periods. Day-Lewis also remained in character even between takes, which frustrated the film crew and technicians who found the need to assist an able-bodied person with day-to-day tasks absurd. He even treated his agent the same way during a visit, leading to the agent canceling the meeting in frustration.

      Judi Dench was initially cast as Mrs. Brown

      Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Britain, Dame Judi Dench has received numerous awards throughout her career, which spans over six decades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Golden Globe Awards, four British Television Awards, six BAFTA Awards, and seven Olivier Awards. She would have undoubtedly added another accolade to her collection had she remained in the role of Mrs. Brown, for which she was originally cast in My Left Foot. However, circumstances changed, and she had to withdraw from the role due to a rescheduling of the National Theatre production of Anthony and Cleopatra. This led to Irish actress Brenda Fricker taking over the now-open role.

      A fortunate turn of events for Brenda Fricker

      Many may not recognize the name of actress Brenda Fricker, but if mentioned as the “Pigeon Lady” from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), memories would likely resurface. With Judi Dench stepping away from the role of Mrs. Brown, director Jim Sheridan and the producers faced a dilemma and reached out to Fricker, who accepted the challenge with enthusiasm. During award season, the talented Irish actress was honored with the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film—a remarkable feat considering she acted alongside Day-Lewis.

      Elmer Bernstein composed