By Nick Bramhill
Daniel Day Lewis has topped an influential poll of the best biographical actors of all-time.
The Co Wicklow-based star has been lauded for his Oscar-winning performances in both ‘My Left Foot’ and 2012 epic, ‘Lincoln’.
Day-Lewis is the only actor who features twice in Rolling Stone magazine’s new ‘Reality Bites’ poll of the best biopics.
Speaking of ‘My Left Foot’, the 1989 Jim Sheridan-directed movie which immortalised paralysed Irish artist Christy Brown, the publication states: “He turns every character, famous or not, into someone you’ve never encountered before.
“As Christy Brown, an Irish quadriplegic with severe cerebral palsy who becomes an accomplished writer thanks to one controllable extremity, Day-Lewis not only contorts and spasms and utters unintelligibly – inviting the audience to feel the frustrations of both Christy and those trying to understand him – he also gives Christy and indelible personality.
“No tragic flower, he’s instead a spoiled, impetuous, sexually improper pain in the ass.”
They add: “His greatness emerges not from fighting disability, but from his assertion of undeniable humanity.”
Other biopics to receive the thumbs-up from the publication include Lawrence of Arabia, Raging Bull, Malcolm X, Capote and Milk.
But the magazine also slated the turkeys of the silver screen, including The Doors, Beyond The Sea, Wired and last year’s much-panned biopic Jobs – about the life of late Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs.
Meanwhile, fans of Christy Brown, who died 33 years ago at the age of 49, have reason to celebrate after the last remaining archive of material relating to his work was jointly purchased a week ago by the National Library of Ireland and the Little Museum of Dublin.
The collection, comprising of papers, paintings, books and personal effects, was sold in London for just under €45,000.
