Acclaimed actor Daniel Day-Lewis, a three-time best actor Oscar winner, recently addressed prevailing misconceptions about Method acting during a wide-ranging conversation at the BFI London Film Festival. He posited that much of the criticism surrounding this approach stems from a fundamental lack of understanding. Day-Lewis, renowned for his immersive process and dedication to staying in character throughout filming, pushed back against notions that it is unhealthy or impractical.

Explaining his perspective, Day-Lewis stated that the recent commentary on Method acting often comes from those who have little to no grasp of its true nature. He clarified that it is not a “specious science” or a “cult,” but rather “just a way of freeing yourself so that the spontaneity, when you are working with your colleagues in front of the camera, that you are free to respond in any way that you’ll move to in that moment.” He further elaborated that this process does not seal an actor off from their real life, but instead places them in a “self-contained experience” where, having done the necessary work, they should be free to accept whatever arises within that context.

Day-Lewis also discussed his recent return to acting after an eight-year break, starring in “Anemone,” a psychological drama directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis. This role marks his first appearance on screen since his Oscar-nominated performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom Thread” in 2017, after which he had announced his retirement.

During the festival, Day-Lewis reflected significantly on Jim Sheridan’s 1989 film “My Left Foot,” a role that proved pivotal in shaping both his career and his unique acting process. In the film, he portrayed the celebrated Irish writer and painter Christy Brown, who, due to cerebral palsy, could only work with the toes of one foot. Day-Lewis acknowledged that, given current societal attitudes towards the portrayal of people with disabilities on screen, he would not accept such a role today. He noted that even at the time, it was already questionable, recalling criticism from members of the disabled community in Ireland, including children who had assisted him at the Sandymount Clinic.

However, Day-Lewis also revealed that the extensive preparation for “My Left Foot” was instrumental in forging his distinctive acting style. With limited finances at the outset, he moved to Dublin with ample time for preparation, immersing himself in the character’s world. He spent months living in a wheelchair, learning to write and paint solely with his foot, and working with individuals who supported his research. This profound experience led him to vow, “I’m never not going to work like this again.” He defended his extreme research methods by asserting, “it just makes sense to me… You have an obligation to try to understand as far as you’re humanly able to what it feels like to be inside of that experience.”