Top 5 Daniel Day-Lewis Films That Make Us Sad He's Retiring | The Odyssey Online
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Top 5 Daniel Day-Lewis Films That Make Us Sad He's Retiring

Movies that feature Daniel Day-Lewis's finest acting performances.

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Top 5 Daniel Day-Lewis Films That Make Us Sad He's Retiring
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This past Tuesday, a representative of Daniel Day-Lewis confirmed that the storied actor plans to retire from acting. With one final untitled project set to open in theaters this December, Daniel Day-Lewis, regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation, is the only one of his kind to have one three Oscars in a leading role. Sitting in a four-way tie with cinematic tour dour forces Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, Walter Brennan, and Ingrid Bergman, only Katherine Hepburn has received more Academy recognition for work than Day-Lewis. With a career that has spanned more than three decades, here are movies that contain the London natives finest work:

5. "The Age of Innocence"

Hailed by movie critics as one of Martin Scorcese's finest movies to date, Daniel Day-Lewis's performance was largely overshadowed by the efforts of Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder -- something that doesn't happen often for Day-Lewis. Nevertheless, the London native's work in capturing a Newland Archer torn between his heart's desire and the social ethics of Old New York Society was delivered with such incisive intelligence, wit and effectual grace that Day-Lewis's performance drew comparisons to Sir Lawrence Olivier's masterful depiction of Heathcliff in "Wuthering Heights".

4. "In the Name of the Father"

The second collaboration with acclaimed director/screenwriter Jim Sheridan, this biographical courtroom drama captured and depicted the life story of the Guildford Four, four people falsely accused of masterminding the 1974 IRA's Guildford pub bombings that resulted in the deaths of four off-duty British soldiers. In preparation for his role as the protagonist Gerry Conlon, Daniel Day-Lewis spent three days and nights in a jail cell where he was deprived of sleep by the prison's inmates and interrogated for nine hours by real Special Branch Officers. Day-Lewis also encouraged crew members to verbally abuse him and throw cold water on him.

Nevertheless, the self-torture paid off, as Day-Lewis's efforts resulted in the film being nominated seven Academy Awards, with the Brit receiving his second consideration for -- you guessed it -- Best Actor in a Leading Role. Even though he didn't win.

3. "My Left Foot"

The project that brought Day-Lewis and Jim Sheridan together for the first time, "My Left Foot" in another biographical drama that depicts the life of Christy Brown -- a writer and an artist with severe cerebral palsy that limited control of his body to his left foot. Having to shoot most of his scenes sitting before a mirror since he could only master control of his right foot, Day-Lewis's performance was universally commended, with his performance being hailed as greatest in all of film. For his efforts, this translated into one of his three Oscars at the 62nd Academy Awards.

2. "Lincoln"

Daniel Day-Lewis's most renowned work in recent memory, and what will soon stand as his second-to-final role as an actor, Day-Lewis teamed up with Steven Spielberg in 2011 for an epic historical drama re-imagining the presidency of Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. Arguably the greatest president in American History, it was only fitting that Day-Lewis be considered for the role as arguably the greatest actor currently alive.

Played with heartbreaking compassion, patience and an unwavering realistic approach to American Politics, Day-Lewis enraptured audiences and critics of all stripes beyond the threshold of speechless. Allowing Spielberg to summit the heights of critical acclaim he had not scaled since "Saving Private Ryan". Along with "Lincoln" having been his last role, this project was also the last time Day-Lewis received an Oscar. With his final movie opening in the holiday season, movie pundits have to wonder if "Lincoln" was the last time Daniel Day-Lewis ascended up to steps of Dolby Theatre as an actor.

1. "There Will Be Blood"

Among all the memorable works Day-Lewis has done, no one ever says the name of Daniel Day-Lewis without failing to mention "There Will Be Blood". In a display of his finest acting, Day-Lewis chillingly portrays the ruthless, yet uniquely three-dimensional oil mogul Daniel Plainview, who's relentless desire for power and wealth lead to his ultimate dissolution.

Widely hailed as Day-Lewis's finest performance in a film that was in itself, a masterpiece of art, critics and audiences will undoubtedly remember the infamous bowling alley scene. Bludgeoning his adversary to death with a bowling pin, Day-Lewis, in a manner that is subtle and poetic, declares: "I'm done". Daniel Day-Lewis may be done, but this scene. This movie. Is one that will be forever reenacted and replayed in the minds of those in and outside of the cinematic world. Even when the screen goes dark for the last time in the last film, movie's will never be done with Daniel Day-Lewis.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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