The greatest method actor of this generation, Daniel Day-Lewis has contributed to a wide genre of films, molding himself according to any story and playing the role flawlessly. With a career spanning almost four decades, he has given numerous standing-ovation-worthy performances in films like Gangs of New York, Lincoln, Phantom Thread, and many more. As a result, he has won several prestigious awards that include 3 Oscars, and 2 Golden Globes.
Sadly, the Nine actor announced his retirement in 2017. But what put Daniel Day-Lewis in a league of his own was that each of his works is immensely different from his previous movie which mesmerized the viewers. As an artist, he became one with the character and though it was evident in every movie of his, Day-Lewis decided to step further by becoming a true American for The Last of the Mohicans.
Daniel Day-Lewis’ Insane Dedication For The Last of the Mohicans
Daniel Day-Lewis played the role of Natty Bumppo, a Native American in The Last of the Mohicans. The film is set in 1757, and it opens with a scene of three tribesmen charging through the forest. But what’s surprising is that the actor was acting like a natural tribesman. He felt as if he was at home, this was no surprise because he had decided to be committed to the role and learn how to survive in a forest.
The Stars and Bars actors also learned how to make fire by himself, trapping and skinning animals, and firing a rifle while he was running. Lewis explains that “There’s no wasted experience if in the discovery of it, you’re becoming at ease with it.” He believes that it is not about living or firing a gun in the forest, but it should look convincing to the viewers.
This unwavering commitment from the actor always leads to a great performance. But more importantly, the films that he works on are directed beautifully and very carefully which makes the film feel unreal. Naturally, the film earned $75.5 million at the box office and won an Academy Award.
Daniel Day-Lewis’ Take On His Retirement
The Gangs of New York actor shocked the world, when he announced that he would be throwing away his acting career in 2017. During an exclusive interview with Variety, he stated the decision to walk away from acting was not a hasty one but it has been thought through and it has been occurring to him for a few years.
“I did want to draw a line. I didn’t want to get sucked back into another project. All my life, I’ve mouthed off about how I should stop acting, and I don’t know why it was different this time, but the impulse to quit took root in me, and that became a compulsion. It was something I had to do.”
However, in a different interview, he stated how his method of acting was the primary reason for him to quit acting, and some of his roles made him want to walk away from this illustrious career.
“I didn’t want to get sucked back into another project. There’s something of the responsibility of the artist that hung over me. I need to believe in the value of what I’m doing.”
Lewis added that he has not watched his 2017 film, Phantom Thread as it was one of the films that was connected to his decision to retire.
The Last of the Mohicans can be rented on AppleTV.
Source: Little White Lies
