Perhaps the greatest actor to work in the modern age of cinema, Daniel Day-Lewis has starred in a wide variety of genres. As a fantastic character and method actor, he can mold himself into any story and take ownership of the performance. His dedication to the character allows for a more compelling portrayal, which incidentally makes the film more intriguing. What makes Day-Lewis’ films so unique is the heart and soul he puts into them. While there are not many throughout his career (especially in the past two decades), Day-Lewis was very particular about the films he chose. His limited selections allowed a deeper connection to the character, which practically glued eyes to the screen.
Audiences are still hypnotized by this catalog of work because the films are all so different from one another. Daniel Day-Lewis fully committed to each performance, which heightened the stakes of the films he was in. As an audience member, it is nice to see actors who are wholly invested in the craft, something that elevates the performances of everyone around them.
Each film at the top of Day-Lewis’ catalog is brilliantly directed, also. The filmmakers give actors like Daniel Day-Lewis the time to shine and never overstep. It is a beautiful symbiotic relationship between an actor and director. One cannot exist without the other, and the following films are in the spotlight for that very reason.
5 Phantom Thread
Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s second collaboration with Daniel Day-Lewis is quite a sophisticated venture into the life of a dressmaker. A surprisingly subdued performance from Day-Lewis, however, conceals a hidden intensity. Phantom Thread is filled with unsolved mysteries and unanswered questions, but maybe that was intentional. Perhaps the hidden internal struggles of Reynolds Woodcock (Day-Lewis) are reflected in the film’s ambiguous presentation of its plot elements.
The quiet and more reserved nature of Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance creates this level of intensity just when he walks into a room. There could be complete silence, as Reynolds simply observes a newly sewn dress. Day-Lewis takes his time in these scenes and allows the character to really live in the moment, observing every stitch with everyone waiting in anticipation for his review. A titan of an actor will allow for that silence and tension to just build and build. It is rather sad that this will be Daniel Day-Lewis’ final film, as it has been reported, but his films live on, blessing screens through his incredible performances with complex character arcs.
4 Lincoln
Based in stringent historical accuracy, Lincoln is a film which serves a strong educational purpose. Being informative is one thing, but having Daniel Day-Lewis own this entire cinematic masterpiece as the titular protagonist makes this experience even more compelling. Day-Lewis showcases a side of the 13th president that we may never have seen before.
The bluntness of the commander in chief bursts out through powerful monologues. Daniel Day-Lewis owns the character of Lincoln, and it is famously said that he got too deep into the role with his method approach for this project. Garnering awards and critical praise, Lincoln is one of Spielberg’s most prestigious films.
3 My Left Foot
Physical acting is a skill that is rarely executed in dramas. The art of physical acting is mainly utilized in slapstick humor, as the body is seen as the “butt” of the joke. However, My Left Foot is a film that is full of heart and a love-letter to the artist Christy Brown. Portraying physical ailments such as cerebral palsy is rarely executed accurately.
Nevertheless, Daniel Day-Lewis brings this entire film to a higher emotional caliber because of his dedication to the performance. It was fully realized with the support from his co-stars, who react to his level of physicality and add authenticity to his performance. Garnering an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Day-Lewis is true to the artist he plays, and this film depicts the accuracy of a day in the life of a man who is aching to express himself.
2 Gangs of New York
In Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, Daniel Day-Lewis commands the screen utilizing one of the most powerful tactics: fear. Fear is what drives Bill “The Butcher” Cutting, and it is how he interacts with characters around him. Fear and the threat of violence is a universal key to this antagonist. The terrifying nature of 'The Butcher" is contrasted by Leonardo DiCaprio's young Amsterdam Vallon who is on a hunt for revenge, one which looks like 'cutting' off Cutting's head.
Gangs of New York showcases the city as we have never seen it before; streets filled with lawless acts and waves of brutality are fully realized by Scorsese's brilliant direction. The star-studded cast also includes Cameron Diaz at her best, and is a career highpoint for Scorsese and a fantastic breakthrough for Day-Lewis into the crime world.
1 There Will Be Blood
Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece There Will Be Blood is a contemporary epic. Watching Daniel Day-Lewis’ portrayal of prospector Daniel Plainview is an emotional ride through the psyche. His rise and heavy fall into near insanity creates gut-wrenching tension. The performance itself is a testament to Day-Lewis’ range. He is truly a powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with while Plainview is at the top of his empire. That is until he comes face to face with Eli, a priest played by Paul Dano who turns Plainview's world upside down.
When he is raging out at his fall, the drooling and menacing shell of a man haunts the viewer’s eye. The film itself is grounded in ambition and how fair one will go to ascertain their desires. Tragedy strikes, and Plainview is forced to make very difficult choices throughout the film. All of this is perfectly executed in Daniel Day-Lewis' ability to internalize his pain, and we feel every bit of it through brilliant non-verbal acting. From the highs and lows to the manipulation and murder, There Will Be Blood is one of Paul Thomas Anderson's best and Daniel Day Lewis' most versatile performances on his record.