My Left Foot
1989 · Movie · R · 103 min · ★ 7.5 · 98% critics
No one expects much from a boy with cerebral palsy in a working-class Irish family. After he unexpectedly gains control of his left foot, he and his mother fuel his grit and determination, helping him overcome his limitations to become a painter, poet, and author.
Based on My Left Foot
Also known as My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown · My left foot: L'histoire de Christy Brown
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Details
- Original title
- My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown
- Years
- 1989
- Release date
- 1989-04-07
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Critic score
- 98/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.5/10 (1,026 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want an uplifting, determination-driven true-story drama like Shine or The King's Speech, but Not for you if you prefer a purely warm, always-believable struggle without darker or questionable elements.
Pros: inspiring true-story feel; standout lead acting; compassionate Irish setting | Cons: some story doubts; uneven realism; occasionally unlikable moments
Themes
- bodily disabled person
- poet
- biography
- based on true story
- foot
- flashback
- author
- working class
- disabled
- cerebral palsy
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1990
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1990
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1990 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1990 · nominated
Show all 11 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1990 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1990 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1990 · nominated
- European Film Award — Best Director · 1989 · nominated
- European Film Award — Best Actor · 1989 · nominated
- Young European Film of the Year · 1989 · nominated
Cast & crew
Daniel Day-Lewis
as Christy Brown
Brenda Fricker
as Mrs. Brown
- AW
Alison Whelan
as Sheila
Kirsten Sheridan
as Sharon
- DC
Declan Croghan
as Tom
Eanna MacLiam
as Benny
- MC
Marie Conmee
as Sadie
Cyril Cusack
as Lord Castlewelland
Phelim Drew
as Brian
Ruth McCabe
as Mary
Directed by Jim Sheridan