Daniel Day-Lewis's Acting Return in Son's Film
Anemone, though filled with strong performances, didn’t fully meet expectations. After eight years away from acting, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis retains his extraordinary talent. The film marks a confident feature debut from his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who directs and co-wrote the screenplay with his father.
Exploring Family and Conflict
The movie delves into complex relationships between fathers, sons, and brothers. It opens with a child’s drawings depicting the Northern Ireland Troubles, immediately showcasing Ronan Day-Lewis’s assured directorial style and creative use of music.
Main Characters and Plot
- Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean play estranged brothers, Ray and Jem.
- Both served in the British Army during the Troubles.
- Twenty years earlier, Ray fled into the forest to live off-grid in solitude.
- At the film’s start, Jem sets out to find Ray and bring him back to Nessa (Samantha Morton) and Brian (Samuel Bottomley), Ray’s son, whom Jem has been helping raise.
Silent Beginnings
The first 30 minutes feature little dialogue, a choice expertly handled by Day-Lewis to establish relationships and atmosphere.
“You can understand why Day-Lewis Sr would be tempted back into performing with this (although he disputes that he ever officially ‘retired’).”
Author's summary: Daniel Day-Lewis returns to acting in a nuanced family drama directed by his son, blending silence and tension to explore deep emotional ties rooted in historical conflict.