My Left Foot is a 1989 film about Irish writer and artist Christy Brown, who had cerebral palsy and learned to write and make art using his left foot. Directed by Jim Sheridan, the film is adapted from Brown’s autobiography of the same name.
What is My Left Foot about?
The film portrays Brown’s life in a large, conservative Dublin family and his development as a writer and artist. The European Film Academy describes it as the story of an Irish writer and artist who, despite a serious disability, created pictures of startling beauty. The film’s account is a dramatization; its scenes should not be treated as independently verified biography.
Who was Christy Brown?
Christy Brown was an Irish writer and artist with cerebral palsy. He used his left foot to write and create art, the ability that gives the film its title. This is Brown’s story as presented in the film and his autobiography, not a template for understanding every person’s experience of cerebral palsy.
What book is the film based on?
My Left Foot adapts Brown’s autobiography, also titled My Left Foot. CerebralPalsy.org dates the book to 1954 and the film adaptation to 1989. The autobiography and the movie tell the story through different media: the book is Brown’s own work, while the film presents a screen adaptation.
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Who made and stars in the film?
Jim Sheridan directed the 1989 film and co-wrote it with Shane Connaughton. Daniel Day-Lewis plays Christy Brown; Brenda Fricker is also among the principal cast. The European Film Academy’s cast listing additionally includes Ray McAnally, Fiona Shaw and Hugh O’Conor.
What awards did My Left Foot receive?
Miramax lists two wins at the 1990 Academy Awards: Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Brenda Fricker. It also lists nominations for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay—Adaptation. The European Film Academy records 1989 nominations for Young European Film, European Director and European Actor.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you watch or read it?
Google Play and BFI Player have film-viewing pages, but their listings alone do not establish current availability in a particular country. Check the services directly for your location. To read the source work, look for Christy Brown’s autobiography, My Left Foot; check the edition details with the bookseller or library.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Miramax: My Left Foot — film credits and Academy Awards record.
- CerebralPalsy.org: Christy Brown — account of Brown and dates for the autobiography and film.
- European Film Academy: My Left Foot — synopsis, credits and European award nominations.
- Google Play: My Left Foot — film-viewing page.
- BFI Player: My Left Foot — film-viewing page.
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