Daniel Day-Lewis: The Biography (Hardcover)

~ Laura Jackson (Author) "Slanting shafts of early morning light pierce the dense woodland, glinting off the deadly blade of the curved hunting knife gripped in Nathaniel's right hand..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, The Last of the Mohicans, Christy Brown (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There was a rumor that introspective, sinewy and Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis spent time as a cobbler in Florence to get away from the stress of show business. It's an unsolved myth that suits Lewis' reputation for aloofness toward his audience, perhaps stemming from his insecurities about his profession. The problem with acting, he says, is "you always believe you're a fraud." His first appearance on film as a young vandal in Sunday Bloody Sunday was a seamless transition for Lewis, who was in the middle of an upstart adolescence, rebelling against his father, acclaimed poet Cecil Day-Lewis, and the culture of English private schools. Yet later, when confronted with characters very much unlike him, he was still able to strike the right note, as he did in his breakthrough role in My Beautiful Laundrette, and in the films that shot him to heartthrob status, The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Last of the Mohicans. Jackson, author of numerous celebrity biographies including those of Mick Jagger and Bono, inventories Lewis' film and stage roles, revealing the actor's immersion into his work. Other than the revelations of Lewis' dyslexia, there are few surprises in learning that he can be difficult, quite committed to his roles and easily spooked by his own personal ghosts, as was evidenced by his vacating the stage in the middle of a performance of Hamlet. While the depiction here syncs with popular perceptions of Lewis, a son of privilege and intellectual elites, the insight into his preparation, choice of roles and motivations might serve well the budding actor looking for inspiration. Photos.
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Review

“The insight into his preparation, choice of roles and motivations might serve well the budding actor looking for inspiration.” -- Publishers Weekly Annex

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 273 pages
• Publisher: John Blake (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857825578
• ISBN-13: 978-1857825572
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #225,410 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)