My Left Foot, based on the book by Christy Brown, 10 out of 10

My Left Foot, based on the book by Christy Brown

10 out of 10

-          This is an extraordinary film about Resilience, Persistence, Creativity, Bravery, Humility and many other Character Strengths

-          It is also a very relevant example for the phenomena called by Psychology – Hedonic Adaptation

-          It is the story of a real hero:

-          Christy Brown

-          For this phenomenal role, Daniel Day-Lewis has won the Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and other important awards

-          Brenda  Fricker as Mrs. Brown, Christy’s exceptional mother has also won the Oscar, golden Globe and other prizes

-          Christy is born with cerebral palsy at a time when this was a condemnation to a life of turmoil

-          Indeed, the doctors tell the parents that this is going to be a life long ordeal and the son will be a legume

-          Surprisingly, a humorous moment is associated with this, even if we do not really fall off chairs laughing

-          Mr. Brown is upset after hearing the news and goes to the pub…well, actually he goes there often anyway

-          One of the men in the bar come to the upset father and starts making “funny „comments on the situation:

-          So Brown, this is the end for you, hey?

-          How is that?

-          What will you do, tie a nod around it…hahaha?

-          And Mr. Brown hits the jester with his head in the mouth:

-          A closed mouth catches no flies…words to that effect

-          Christy and his mother are phenomenal characters, Super humans and Role Models to a great extent

-          Instead of self- pity and indulging into a life of suffering and depression, the hero becomes an artist

-          It is a long, difficult journey and like everyone else, Christy has traumatic experiences that he overcomes

-          In Hedonic Adaptation terms, tests with paraplegics have shown that we adapt to almost anything

-          Including serious conditions that sends one to the wheel chair- it is an example given in another mesmerizing film:

-          Before Sunset, in which the main character talks about paraplegics and lottery winners and says something like

-          Research showed that it does not really matter, if you were and ass hole before winning the big prize, it is the same after the jackpot and it the same with people in wheelchairs- we return to a set level of happiness

-          Having said that, it must be highlighted that Christy had to surpass terrible obstacles in his life

-          He has to use The Left Foot from the title, for nothing else seems to work in his body and he is helped around by his family, especially his mother

-          To render an accurate portrayal, Daniel Day-Lewis broke two ribs during filming and would not go out of character for the duration, being helped to eat at the canteen and even making his agent depart because of this courageous decision

-          Even if he was given no chances for anything resembling a normal life, Christy shows his remarkable intelligence early on

-          As they discuss mathematics, the question is raised regarding a quarter of a quarter- what is that?

-          The father says this is nonsense, but his son who is not yet speaking then and can barely use his foot to write, takes the chalk to write:

-          1/16!

-          Christy Brown will not become a mathematician though, but an acclaimed painter first and then a writer

-          This is not a story about pity

-          Milan Kundera explains in The Unbearable Lightness of Being that there is a big difference between

-          Pity and compassion

-          The former involves an attitude of superiority- we feel pity for someone that sits lower- while compassion is felt at the same level

This is a glorious film about: Vitality, Kindness, Social Intelligence, Appreciation of Beauty, Gratitude, Hope, Humor, and Spirituality- on top of the aforementioned Signature Strengths!