My Left Foot

Play trailer

My Left Foot

R

1989

1h 43m

Biography

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

No one expects much from Christy Brown (Daniel Day-Lewis), a boy with cerebral palsy born into a working-class Irish family. Though Christy is a spastic quadriplegic and essentially paralyzed, a miraculous event occurs when, at the age of 5, he demonstrates control of his left foot by using chalk to scrawl a word on the floor. With the help of his steely mother (Brenda Fricker) -- and no shortage of grit and determination -- Christy overcomes his infirmity to become a painter, poet and author.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

No doubt most will come to My Left Foot for Daniel Day-Lewis' performance, but the movie's refusal to go downbeat will keep it in viewer minds afterwards.

Read Critics Reviews

Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

09/11/2023

This is Jim Sheridan’s first feature film, but he’s an experienced man of the theatre, with a moviemaker’s vision and a grownup’s sense of integrity.

Go to Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

06/12/2020

It's the kind of role that showoff stars leap at. Luckily for the film and us, an actor got there first.

Go to Full Review

Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

06/12/2020

It is a spellbinding journey.

Go to Full Review

Sue Heal

Radio Times

08/17/2024

5/5

A superb movie chronicling the life of writer and artist Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy, portrayed with astonishing passion and sensitivity by Daniel Day-Lewis.

Go to Full Review

Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

05/09/2023

4/4

The lives depicted in My Left Foot are full-bodied, flesh and blood dramas of existence. There's no sentimentality in any of the performances.

Go to Full Review

Bill Cosford

Miami Herald

08/16/2021

3/4

[Daniel Day-Lewis's] performance is extraordinary for its subtleties over the obvious physical manifestations The direction by Jim Sheridan is tough-edged.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

@bob25009 06/09/2025

1 hour and 43 minutes based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Margaret G

@RT62106578 03/07/2025

Many scenes are easily brought to mind, more than 35 years since its release. Daniel Day-Lewis vividly brought Christy Brown's talents, accomplishments and flaws to life. Brenda Fricke completely won me over as well.

See more

Dionisis T

@RT41898832 12/19/2024

Could possibly be one of the best things I saw this month!

See more

Garrett B

@gmoney637 12/15/2024

It contains good acting from Day-Lewis and Fricker. Very well done

See more

Kathryn V

@RT32297663 09/13/2024

The most moving movie I've seen since a young Patty Duke portrayed Helen Keller. Daniel Day Lewis has to be the best actor of the era.

See more

Russ G

@RT78760655 06/10/2024

I saw it in the theater at the time it was released and thought it kind'a suxed.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Jim Sheridan

Director

Daniel Day-Lewis

Christy Brown

Ray McAnally

Mr. Brown

Brenda Fricker

Mrs. Brown

Ruth McCabe

Mary

Fiona Shaw

Dr. Eileen Cole

Camille Claudel

90%

88%

Camille Claudel

Watchlist

An Angel at My Table

96%

90%

An Angel at My Table

Watchlist

What's Love Got to Do With It

97%

88%

What's Love Got to Do With It

Watchlist

Van Gogh

77%

67%

Van Gogh

Watchlist

Chameleon Street

100%

77%

Chameleon Street

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rank Daniel Day-Lewis’ 10 Best Movies

RT Exclusive: Pics From There Will Be Blood

Angelina Jolie Considering "Sin City 2"

David Oyelowo's Five Favorite Films

1:06

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

No one expects much from Christy Brown (Daniel Day-Lewis), a boy with cerebral palsy born into a working-class Irish family. Though Christy is a spastic quadriplegic and essentially paralyzed, a miraculous event occurs when, at the age of 5, he demonstrates control of his left foot by using chalk to scrawl a word on the floor. With the help of his steely mother (Brenda Fricker) -- and no shortage of grit and determination -- Christy overcomes his infirmity to become a painter, poet and author.

Director: Jim Sheridan
Producer: Noel Pearson
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Granada Television
Rating: R
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 10, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.5M
Runtime: 1h 43m