My Left Foot (1989)

My Left Foot is a moving, true-story drama about Christy Brown, a Dublin-born man born with severe cerebral palsy who can control only his left foot. Misunderstood for much of his childhood and assumed to be intellectually disabled, Christy’s fierce intelligence and creativity are gradually revealed with the unwavering support of his devoted mother, a determined teacher, and his own stubborn will. Unable to use his hands, he learns to write and paint with his left foot — grasping a brush between his toes — and grows into a celebrated artist, poet, and author. Watching the film is an intimate, often raw experience: you’ll witness the harsh realities of poverty and disability in a large working-class Irish family, the frustration and isolation Christy endures, and the small but pivotal breakthroughs that reshape everyone’s expectations of him. The storytelling moves between tender family moments and painful confrontations, building to inspiring scenes of creative triumph and emotional complexity. Expect to come away both moved and challenged — uplifted by Christy’s achievements but deeply aware of the sacrifices and misunderstandings that marked his life.

Actors: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan

Director: Jim Sheridan

Runtime: 103 min

Genres: Biography, Drama

7.6 /10 97 /100 7.8 /10 8.4 /10