Daniel Day-Lewis, the esteemed actor who has won three Oscars, is at the center of a heated debate in Hollywood about method acting. Recently, he clashed with fellow actor Brian Cox over the concept of method acting, with Cox labeling it as “lunacy.” However, Day-Lewis sees method acting as a form of devotion rather than madness.
In an interview with The Big Issue, Day-Lewis defended his approach to acting, emphasizing that critics often misunderstand what method acting truly entails. He expressed frustration at the misrepresentation of method acting in the media, highlighting that it is not about immersing oneself in extreme situations but about embodying truth in a character.
A close source to Day-Lewis revealed that the actor views method acting as a way to truly become the character he portrays, rather than just pretending. Throughout his illustrious career, Day-Lewis has taken on roles that required extreme dedication and preparation.
For instance, in the film My Beautiful Laundrette, Day-Lewis fully immersed himself in the role of a working-class punk, adopting a South London accent and living in the neighborhood where the film was set. His commitment to authenticity extended to other roles as well, such as when he portrayed Irish poet Christy Brown in My Left Foot, for which he remained in a wheelchair throughout the shoot and even allowed himself to be spoon-fed by the crew.
Day-Lewis’s dedication to his craft is exemplified in his legendary transformations for roles like Tomas in The Unbearable Lightness of Being, where he learned Czech to accurately portray the character. In The Last of the Mohicans, he underwent extensive training in wilderness survival skills, while for The Boxer, he trained under a world champion boxer for 18 months, breaking his nose in the process.
Despite facing criticism for his intense approach to acting, Day-Lewis remains unwavering in his commitment to precision and discipline. In films like Lincoln and Phantom Thread, he continued to push the boundaries of his craft by fully embodying the characters he portrayed.
In his latest film, Anemone, Day-Lewis plays a reclusive ex-soldier haunted by his past in Northern Ireland. While his preparation for this role may have been less physically demanding than previous roles, Day-Lewis’s dedication to authenticity and truth in his performances remains unparalleled.
In conclusion, Daniel Day-Lewis’s approach to acting may be seen as extreme by some, but to him, it is a form of artistry and devotion that allows him to fully inhabit the characters he portrays on screen. His method acting may be unconventional, but it has undeniably contributed to his status as one of the greatest actors of our time.
