My Left Foot (1989)
"My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown" (original title)

The story of Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy. He learned to paint and write with his only controllable limb - his left foot.

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writers:

Shane Connaughton (screenplay), Jim Sheridan (screenplay),

Stars:

Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan

Won 2 Oscars. Another 23 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Day-Lewis	...	Christy Brown
Brenda Fricker	...	Mrs. Brown
Alison Whelan	...	Sheila
Kirsten Sheridan	...	Sharon
Declan Croghan	...	Tom
Eanna MacLiam	...	Benny
Marie Conmee	...	Sadie
Cyril Cusack	...	Lord Castlewelland
Phelim Drew	...	Brian
Ruth McCabe	...	Mary
Fiona Shaw	...	Dr. Eileen Cole
Ray McAnally	...	Mr. Brown
Pat Laffan	...	Barman (as Patrick Laffan)
Derry Power	...	Customer in Bar
Hugh O'Conor	...	Young Christy Brown

Storyline

Christy Brown is a spastic quadriplegic born to a large, poor Irish family. His mother, Mrs Brown, recognizes the intelligence and humanity in the lad everyone else regards as a vegetable. Eventually, Christy matures into a cantankerous writer who uses his only functional limb, his left foot, to write with.

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Plot Keywords:

foot | christy brown | cerebral palsy | irish | courage | 

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Taglines:

A film about life, laughter, and the occasional miracle.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Ireland UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

My Left Foot

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

£600,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$14,743,391 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ferndale Films, Granada Television, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many of the scenes were filmed through a mirror, as Daniel Day-Lewis could only manipulate his right foot to perform the actions seen in the film.

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Goofs

Above his dad's head just after Christy writes "mother", and his dad is saying ,"Jesus."

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Quotes

Dr. Eileen Cole: If you work with me, I'll help you say "fuck off" more clearly.

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Connections

Referenced in Flawless (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Foggy Dew"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Performed by Daniel Day-Lewis

User Reviews

Watch it for the sake of Daniel Day-Lewis

"My left foot" teaches us (or at least it should teach us) one important lesson: handicapped people aren't necessarily retarded, they can just as well be far more intelligent than any of us. I know that this sounds corny but come on, that's how many of us tend to still feel just because we can walk. This is a true story of a poor Irishman who suffers from a case of cerebral palsy and still eventually becomes a celebrated writer and painter only by using his left foot. When you know this much you can fill in the rest. I'm not saying his story isn't touching, of course it is. I'm saying that the movie is predictable and the terrific performances is what you will eventually remember. Oscar awarded Daniel Day-Lewis was spectacular as Christy Brown and we certainly shouldn't forget Hugh O'Conor who was just fantastic as young Christy. Movie that deserves to be seen.