This film surprised me. I avoided it for a long time because it got so much praise and I had read the book and didn't want to be disappointed.I was wrong.This film surpassed any expectations I could have had. The acting is phenomenal. Daniel Day-Lewis showed me with this film he may be the best actor of our time (perhaps all time?). His showing of Christy Brown is astonishing. Moreover, he was able to convey that Christy was in fact not a likeable person. He was an angry, sometimes deranged and jealous alcoholic who hated how the world saw him despite all the obstacles he overcame.It should be noted that the the supporting cast were exceptional as well. Christy's parents and siblings all had a nice connection and it displayed the family just as it was. It was touching to see the times when they supported one another and Christy, in spite of his moodiness.The only part I didn't like is how they made the ending so perfect and "happily ever after." In reality, Christy ended up dying a sad alcoholic, abused mentally, physically and emotionally by his unfaithful wife. I understand why they did this, but the truth is always best - no matter how harsh.

Incomparable and impeccable performance by Daniel Day-Lewis. I can't believe it took me over 28 years to actually watch this. Fairly generic biopic of Christy brown showing about his accomplishments and fight against all the odd circumstances in very tasteful and compassionate manner. It is a must watch.

"This is Christy Brown, my son. Genius." Down-to-earth, funny and surprisingly entertaining while avoiding the lachrymose, this 1989 Irish drama film 'My Left Foot', or 'My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown', is based off of the said character's own 1954 autobiography, depicting the constant daily struggles of an intelligent individual imprisoned in a body with cerebral palsy. From newcomer director Jim Sheridan and Shane Connaughton adapting Brown's story to a screenplay, we see in the span of almost two hours the life of a uniquely astonishing man unfold from a boy to maturity to well-respected and celebrated Irishman. But does this film truly capture Brown's story as a genius despite him being a spastic quadriplegic? Let's take a look.As a lad, Christy could not walk or talk, but still received love from his family, especially his caring, steely mam Bridget (Brenda Fricker, in an Oscar-winning role) while the rest of the clan sees him as nothing but a vegetable. But one day a miraculous even occurs when the now five-year-old Christy (Hugh O'Conor) sees his mam fall down a flight of stairs one day as she is in labor, and is the only witness as well. He is however able to get the attention of some neighbors. His unpredictable, alcoholic da (Ray McAnally, who died before the film was released in his last great role) never really believing in his handicapped son, becomes a supporter when he sees him using the eponymous appendage (the only body part he could actually control), to scrawl the word 'mother' on the floor with a piece of yellow chalk.Later on in the film, since time has passed, he is now played by Daniel-Day Lewis (a brilliantly deserved Oscar-winning beautifully bravura performance for such a demanding, meticulous role). He masters each nuance of facial expressions, precise movements of a twisted, rigid body and impaired speech flawlessly, and eventually overcomes his infirmity-with no apprehension of determination or ill will-to go on to become a painter, poet, author, find love and eventually marry. With his only controllable limb, Christy paints, scores goals in street soccer, lays bricks, fells an adversary in a pub brawl, attempts suicide and writes his autobiography. To see the world through the eyes of a man undeterred from his permanent state is confounding and yet we can not look away. The zeal in his soul ridden with angst, wonder and the will to laugh at life's circumstances, all the while longing to be accepted in society has, throughout his life shown in the time allotted, never dwindles. From examples as a man to flirting with his speech therapist (teaching him to swear when others are not wanted) to the innocent wonder as a boy with his brothers and sisters partaking in sweet, spooky Halloween street festivities, his outlook remains the same throughout his days while as those around him come to eventually laud his triumphs and travails as a unique and extraordinary human being.Paralleling with 'Rain Man', the same elements are here, but it is also here where we witness a more sentimental depth of human nature. It reveals a painful yet poignant portrait of an essentially paralyzed artistic character that at the film's conclusion we can do nothing but stand and cheer. It deviates from the standard Hollywood story to deliver dynamic realism, robust truths and an overall tour-de-force experience from watching the miraculousness of life within a man and his spirit, unafraid in beating the odds to pursue his visions and dreams. Though the real Christy Brown passed on at only forty-nine, this is truly one of those films that will live in the mind and heart long after one sees it.

Wonderful movie, Christy Brown is as cripple as Hamlet. He was not "Nothing" so he chose not to end his life. We love his high spirited hopefulness and his refusal to be a vegetable. Millions are mentally and creativity wise more cripple than Christy Brown.The movie depicts the protagonist fighting a great war against outside circumstances ( being a cripple ) and inside world - a desire to make his mark in spite of his apparent inability to create specially in the situation when most around him thought that he was nothing more than a vegetable.I feel Christy Brown represents the modern man struggling against the hostile world without and within. The support of the family, specially the mother figure represents the only hope that we have got - the fellow human beings.Daniel Day Lewis rightly earned his Oscar for his performance. Simply the best.