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A Filmmaker's Guide to: Sir Daniel Day-Lewis

Film Studies (Pt.135)

By Annie KapurPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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In this chapter of ‘the filmmaker’s guide’ we’re actually going to be learning about literature and film together. I understand that many of you are sitting in university during difficult times and finding it increasingly hard to study and I understand that many of you who are not at university or not planning on it are possibly stuck of what to do, need a break or even need to catch up on learning film before you get to the next level. This guide will be brief but will also contain: new vocabulary, concepts and theories, films to watch and we will be exploring something taboo until now in the ‘filmmaker’s guide’ - academia (abyss opens). Each article will explore a different concept of film, philosophy, literature or bibliography/filmography etc. in order to give you something new to learn each time we see each other. You can use some of the words amongst family and friends to sound clever or you can get back to me (email in bio) and tell me how you’re doing. So, strap in and prepare for the filmmaker’s guide to film studies because it is going to be one wild ride.

Sir Daniel Day-Lewis

Who is he?

Sir Daniel Day-Lewis was born in the April of 1957 in England; he is the son of the Poet Laureate, Cecil Day-Lewis. His father died when he was almost a teenager and Sir Daniel-Day Lewis was known as a child delinquent, moving schools to accomodate his bad behaviour. Eventually giving up on it, he joined the Bristol Old Vic Theatre where he first began performing and studying the art of method acting. He eventually performed Hamlet on stage and famously had a sort of mental breakdown in the midst of the performance. He became a film actor exclusively then on but he would still leave time between his projects in order to properly study his characters of wind down after a massive exploration into the character's life.

Known as one of the greatest and most decorated actors of all time, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis is also known for becoming immersed in his roles to the point that he does not come out of character until the film is finished. And this is why you can understand that the man would be physically, emotionally and psychologically exhausted. But then again, he has never actually made a movie where his acting has been just average - everything he has done, every film he has starred in, has been of gold standard.

The greatness of his performances has earned him three Academy Awards for Best Actor, the only person to do that in all of history - only being beaten by the Best Actress award which went to Katharine Hepburn four times. I honestly don't think Sir Daniel Day-Lewis cares that much for awards anyway. His craft is excellent, his mind is filled with genuine genius about almost everything, he is a truly intelligent man with many, many qualities beyond simply acting. One of my personal heroes and a larger-than-life figure, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis may be retired, but his career has been one of the greatest things to ever happen to Hollywood.

Let's take a look at some of his greatest performances - these were so difficult to choose from because I have seen every single performance by him and they are all absolutely amazing.

The Greatest Performances

My Left Foot (1989)

There are many films that are on my '1001 films to watch before you die' list and this one is definitely one of them. You need to think about the fact that this man spent the whole filming time in a wheelchair to play this character. He went through an absolutely intense experience that would psychologically damage a normal person for life. I honestly watched this film with utter disbelief at how good it was. The entire film's critical acclaim is 99% based on how amazing the performance of Sir Daniel Day-Lewis was. And they were definitely correct. Of course, he won his first Academy Award for Best Actor because of this role.

There Will Be Blood (2007)

Of all the films that star Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, I will definitely have to say that this one is possibly the most famous one. We all know what it is about, we all know about the milkshake scene and we all know that Sir Daniel Day-Lewis is practically unrecognisable in it. You definitely forget that you're watching a posh Englishman whilst this is going on. He portrays what is a modern version of a very Citizen Kane like character. Machiavellian, manipulative and completely villainous and yet, very self-righteous. It is an awe-inspiring performance and possibly the greatest performance in any film of the 21st century. He won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for this film.

Phantom Thread (2017)

I think we were all aware by this time that this was Sir Daniel Day-Lewis's final film. But I have to say that this was in no way any worse than his previous films. It was actually just as amazing and to this day, one of my favourite performances by him. He portrays an almost heartless and condescending dressmaker who is forced to confront himself and his own toxicity before it is too late. It is a brilliant film filled with the common method acting of Sir Daniel Day-Lewis. But then again, I do think that this is the film that eventually made him say that he had had enough. I hope he is having a happy retirement knowing that he practically set the bar for any acting ever.

Conclusion

Sir Daniel Day-Lewis earned his third Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in "Lincoln" (2012) directed by Steven Speilberg. He won numerous awards for his characters in "Gangs of New York" (2002), "In the Name of the Father" (1993) and "The Boxer" (1997). Even though he is retired, nobody can come close to these performances. He has more talent in his little finger than most of Hollywood put together.

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About the Creator

Annie Kapur

190K+ Reads on Vocal.

English Lecturer

🎓Literature & Writing (B.A)

🎓Film & Writing (M.A)

🎓Secondary English Education (PgDipEd)

📍Birmingham, UK

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