My Left Foot
My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown is a 1989 biographical comedy-drama film directed by Jim Sheridan adapted by Sheridan and Shane Connaughton from the 1954 memoir of the same name by Christy Brown. A co-production of Ireland and the United Kingdom, it stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Brown, an Irish man born with cerebral palsy, who could control only his left foot. Brown grew up in a poor working-class family, and became a writer and artist. Brenda Fricker, Ray McAnally, Hugh O'Conor, Fiona Shaw, and Cyril Cusack are featured in supporting roles.
My Left Foot | |
---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Jim Sheridan |
Screenplay by |
|
Based on | My Left Foot by Christy Brown |
Produced by | Noel Pearson |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Jack Conroy |
Edited by | J. Patrick Duffner |
Music by | Elmer Bernstein |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | Palace Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
Countries |
|
Language | English |
Budget | £600,000 |
Box office | $14.7 million |
The film was theatrically released on 24 February 1989 to critical acclaim. Reviewers praised the film's screenplay and direction, its message, and especially the performances of Day-Lewis and Fricker. It was also a commercial success, grossing $14.7 million on a £600,000 budget. At the 62nd Academy Awards, the film received five nominations, including for the Best Picture, with Day-Lewis and Fricker winning Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. In 2018, the British Film Institute ranked it as the 53rd greatest British film of the 20th century.