‘My Left Foot’ screened on Library film night


At the end of the last century there was a great character in Dublin named Christy Brown. Christy was a writer, poet and artist of great talent; his autobiography “Down All the Days” was a bestseller and his art was exhibited in the best galleries. But Christy Brown was seriously handicapped.


One of 21 children in an impoverished slum family, Christy had cerebral palsy from birth and had control only of his left foot; he was considered to be retarded. The book and the movie adaptation of it, “My Left Foot,” detail the efforts of Christy and his family to build a life from such raw foundations.


Movies at the Library presents “My Left Foot” next Tuesday evening, March 16 at the cinema on the lower level of the library. It is truly a great movie. Writer-director Jim Sheridan and co-writer Shane Connaughton tell Brown’s story without once succumbing to cliché or audience manipulation.


The acting here is astonishing. Daniel Day-Lewis gives what may be the performance of his career as Christy, and Brenda Fricker’s performance as his mother is stunning. Both were awarded Academy Awards as lead actors. You will never forget young Hugh O’Connor playing Christy as a child, and Ray McAnally as the father. Fiona Shaw and Cyril Cusack add to the superb cast.


Christy Brown was, in the words of one Dubliner, “talented, brash, arrogant, witty, at times vulgar and petulant — in other words, human.” Don’t miss this very humane film next Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the library. As always, admission is free and there will be free bottled water and popcorn for all.


See you at the movies!