Sunday, October 01, 2006
VICTORIOUS
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was
with Daniel Day-Lewis as the Irish writer, artist, Christy Brown. Brown had cerebral palsy and only the use of his left foot.
I should also note the performance of Hugh O'conor, who plays the young Christy, providing a seamless whole with Day-Lewis' portrayal.
The performances are bravura as is the careful telling of the story. We are not asked for maudlin sympathy. This guy has serious attitude and we are there to see all the quirks and faults as well as the courage.
It makes it all more heroic.
Brown was an alcoholic and you can see this bubbling up and progressing throughout the film. He died of the disease.
And he had a life. He married. He had books published and art shown.
It is a great film. Some small part of it is excruciating but the whole is victorious.
A 5 out of Netflix5.
The real Christy Brown.
