Few actors are as beloved today as Daniel-Day Lewis. Since his stardom during the 1980’s, Day-Lewis has become an icon in the film industry. Whether it’s greedy oil prospectors, political leaders or gangsters, Day-Lewis has portrayed several characters. Given the number of films he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. There Will Be Blood
When it comes to the greatest movies ever made about greed, it’s worth discussing “There Will be Blood”. Released in 2007, Paul Thomas Anderson’s mesmerizing masterpiece captured an oil prospector driven to the brink of insanity by greed. With its breathtaking visuals, sharp storytelling and timely themes, the film is considered to be a classic today. One of the major reasons why the film has stood the test of time as a classic is because of Daniel Day-Lewis. In arguably the greatest role of his career, Day-Lewis transforms into a greedy oil prospector that faces despair. With Daniel Plainview, Daniel Day-Lewis created one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and menacing in his most transformative role. Day-Lewis has always been an actor with a powerful voice, and it’s clearly evident in this film. Day-Lewis creates a compelling character through his powerful voice. For instance, the iconic “I Drink Your Milkshake” scene where Daniel Plainview abuses Paul in the bowling alley is arguably the greatest scene of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “There Will Be Blood” Daniel Day-Lewis’ best film is its meaningful message. Unlike most period pieces, it delivers a meaningful message which would strike chords with everyone. The film delivers a powerful message about consequences faced by men in positions of absolute power. Nearly 30 years after the release of a film about oil prospectors learning there will be blood in their career, it’s a great reminder of an actor beyond compare that thrives playing compelling characters in movies about which audiences care.
2. Phantom Thread
Daniel Day-Lewis has always been one of those actors with a powerful screen presence. He has rare ability to command a scene through his sheer presence without speaking a single word. Day-Lewis’ talent for threading compelling characters through his powerful screen presence is clearly evident in his film “Phantom Thread”. In his final film role before retirement, Day-Lewis embodies an obsessive fashion-designer with a strong drive to achieve his goal. It’s not easy to embody the personality of a perfectionist fashion-designer, but Day-Lewis succeeds tremendously. As Reynolds Woodcock, Day-Lewis creates a powerful portrait of a troubled fashion-designer. It’s a role giving the actor an opportunity to showcase his strength for playing characters with a strong screen presence. For instance, the argument scene in which Reynolds criticizes the dinner Alma has made for him showcases the actor’s commanding screen presence. Given that this was his final film role before retirement, it’s evident that Day-Lewis played it with the utmost commitment. Ultimately, what makes “Phantom Thread” a masterpiece is its meaningful message. It’s not just a film about fashion design. The film delivers a meaningful message about consequences of obsession. As gorgeous as clothes that Reynolds Woodcock seeks to design, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to shine portraying compelling characters which face a decline.
3. Lincoln
Few presidents in American history have earned appreciation of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln guided the country during the troublesome time period of slavery. With his larger-than-life presence, leadership and charisma, Lincoln symbolized hope for America. Through his wisdom, Lincoln became a president that people would value. In 2012, Daniel Day-Lewis did an extraordinary job of portraying the president in his Oscar-winning film “Lincoln”. It isn’t easy to transform into a commemorated president in American history, but Day-Lewis pulls it off successfully. Not only does Day-Lewis bear a striking resemblance to the president, but he captures his larger-than-life personality. Day-Lewis has always had a way with using words to convey emotions, and his strengths as an actor are evident in “Lincoln”. For instance, the scene in which Lincoln delivers his famous speech to the country showcases the actor’s strength. Day-Lewis transforms into Lincoln to the point where you believe you’re watching the actual president brought back to life. It’s a phenomenal performance that pays a powerful tribute to a legendary president that forever changed American history. An extraordinary tribute towards an influential American president, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a commemorated actor with a strong commitment towards portraying real-life characters that has stood test of time as an icon in the world of entertainment several years after his retirement.
4. Gangs of New York
One of the characteristics making Daniel Day-Lewis an outstanding actor is his method acting. Day-Lewis is one of those actors with a strong commitment to playing each character through method acting in entertainment. This approach often involves actors transforming into characters by immersing themselves in a role. Day-Lewis’ strength for playing complex characters through method acting is evident in his film “Gangs of New York”. In the most villainous role of his career, Day-Lewis transforms into a gritty gangster that evokes fear. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for method acting. To prepare for the part, Day-Lewis learned how to become a real-life butcher on set. For instance, the scene in which Bill the Butcher engages in a knives throwing competition shows the actor’s strength for method acting. Ultimately, what makes “Gangs of New York” a standout film in Day-Lewis’ career is its message. The film delivers a poignant message about the dangers of revenge that would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with gangs to appreciate it. A grand portrait of hardships that gangs in New York faced causing lives to deteriorate, it’s an extraordinary reminder of an actor that thrives making movies which educate the public about eras which audiences celebrate.
5. The Age of Innocence
Few books ever written about an age of innocence are as beloved as “The Age of Innocence”. Ever since it was published in 1920, Edith Wharton’s book has created a lasting legacy. With its compelling characters, strong storytelling and timely themes, the book earned a huge fan following. In 1993, Daniel Day-Lewis did an amazing job of adapting the classic book to the big-screen in his film “The Age of Innocence”. In her first ever romantic role, Day-Lewis embodies an upper-class gentleman falling in love in 1870s New York City. It’s a subtle role that marks a stark departure for an actor that has spent his entire career playing over-the-top characters. As Newland Archer, Day-Lewis showcases his strength for communicating emotion through his expressions without speaking a single word. For instance, the scene in which Newland hides his feelings for Countess Olenska to avoid attracting attention is the most subtle work the actor has done. It’s a beautiful performance that allows Day-Lewis to showcase subtlety rarely evident in his career. An amazing adaptation of a book about an age of innocence, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder of an actor that thrives at creating characters through his larger-than-life presence whose movies earn an audience.
6. My Left Foot
Cerebral palsy is a debilitating disorder rarely depicted accurately in movies. Portraying a person with cerebral palsy creates obstacles for actors that are challenging. It’s not easy for an able-bodied actor to capture hardships that people with cerebral palsy go through. However, in 1989 Daniel Day-Lewis pulled it off effectively when he made “My Left Foot”. In the most physically demanding role of his career, Day-Lewis transforms into a real-life writer that faced cerebral palsy causing despair. Not only does Day-Lewis capture mannerisms of a person with cerebral palsy, but he embodies their larger-than-life personality. An incredible tribute towards an Irish writer that faced cerebral palsy causing dreams to vanish, it’s a commemorated reminder of an actor that thrives given goals to accomplish whose movies audiences cherish.
7. In the Name of the Father
When it comes to the most shocking wrongful conviction in history, it’s worth discussing Gerry Conlon. An innocent Northern Irish man, Conlon was convicted of being an IRA bomber during the 1980’s. Conlon spent 15 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. In 1993, Conlon’s story was beautifully brought to the big-screen in Daniel Day-Lewis’ movie “In the Name of the Father”. In the most emotional role of his career, Day-Lewis embodies a man convicted of a crime he did not commit causing despair. Day-Lewis showcases emotional sides to himself that audiences haven’t seen before. 30 years after an Irish man was wrongfully accused of being a member of the IRA with a price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives given opportunities to portray complex characters whose movies deserve to be celebrated today.
8. The Last of the Mohicans
Indigenous communities are rarely depicted with respect in movies. Hollywood has long held a history of ignoring the stories of Indigenous tribes in history. In an industry that has built barriers against the Native-Americans, it’s worth discussing “The Last of the Mohicans”. Released in 1992, Daniel Day-Lewis’ film was one of the first mainstream movies to depict Native-Americans from a realistic point-of-view. In his first Indigenous role, Day-Lewis transformed into a Native-American leader with a strong goal. It isn’t easy to portray a member of the Indigenous community, but Day-Lewis succeeded. An incredible tribute towards Indigenous tribes in history facing consequences which were dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives given chances to play courageous leaders whose movies audiences consider precious.
9. My Beautiful Launderette
Gay people are rarely ever depicted with respect in movies today. Hollywood has history of building barriers against LGBTQ communities. In an industry that has often built barriers leaving queer communities upset, it’s worth discussing “My Beautiful Launderette”. Released in 1985, Daniel Day-Lewis’ film was one of the first movies to shine light on British queer communities. In the first ever queer role of his career, Daniel Day-Lewis embodies a gay man facing a burden to bear. It’s a role giving the actor an opportunity to showcase a sensitive side audiences haven’t seen before. A heartbreaking portrait of hardships faced by homosexual people in the Margaret Thatcher era, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor with charisma that thrives making movies about social issues associated with stigma rarely discussed in Cinema.
10. A Room With a View
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about beautiful rooms with a view, it’s worth discussing “A Room With a View”. Published in 1908 by E.M. Forster, the book has stood the test of time as a legendary piece of literature. In 1985, Daniel Day-Lewis did an extraordinary job of adapting the book to the big-screen in his film “A Room With a View”. In the most noble role of his career, Day-Lewis transforms into a wealthy landowner seeking marriage. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing noble gentlemen. Nearly a century following the publication of a legendary book about rooms with a beautiful view, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate audiences whose timeless movies years after he decided to retire I will forever value.
The Film Buff 