"Handbags at Dawn": Daniel Day-Lewis Takes Aim at Method Acting Critics
Daniel Day-Lewis has ignited a firestorm over his long-held commitment to method acting, which he claims has been unfairly maligned by critics like Brian Cox. In an interview with The Big Issue, the Oscar-winning actor fired back at what he perceived as misinformed criticism, saying that the technique is often misunderstood and misrepresented.
Day-Lewis was drawn into a heated debate with Cox over his approach to acting after Cox made disparaging remarks about method acting in interviews. Day-Lewis, however, maintains that he has always been committed to immersing himself in his characters on and off set, which he believes allows for more authentic performances.
The actor took issue with the notion that method actors are "lunatics" who abandon all sense of reality to play their roles. Instead, he argued that his approach is a means to an end – to create a living, breathing character that can interact with others on screen.
"I don't think it's about some kind of lunacy," Day-Lewis said. "It's about finding your own way into the performance. If people want to focus on the 'Oh, he lived in a jail cell for six months' thing, that's fine. But they should understand that this is just one aspect of the process."
Day-Lewis's frustration with method acting criticism has been evident throughout his recent press tour for the new film Anemone, which he directed and co-wrote with his son Ronan. He has repeatedly stated that he stands by his approach, even if it means contradicting opinions from colleagues like Jeremy Strong.
When asked about Cox's remarks, Day-Lewis remained calm but firm, saying that he had no idea what sparked the conflict and that he didn't feel responsible for any perceived interference with Cox's working process. The actor also made a point to distinguish himself from his method-acting peers, who often incorporate more unconventional antics into their performances.
"I choose to stay and splash around," Day-Lewis said, "rather than jump in and out or play practical jokes with whoopee cushions between takes." This approach is likely one that will continue to set him apart from other actors who prefer a more lighthearted approach to the craft.
With Anemone set to open in the UK on November 7th, Day-Lewis's comments serve as a reminder of his commitment to method acting and his determination to prove its validity. Whether or not critics will accept his vision remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Daniel Day-Lewis is not afraid to speak his mind and defend his artistic choices.
Daniel Day-Lewis has ignited a firestorm over his long-held commitment to method acting, which he claims has been unfairly maligned by critics like Brian Cox. In an interview with The Big Issue, the Oscar-winning actor fired back at what he perceived as misinformed criticism, saying that the technique is often misunderstood and misrepresented.
Day-Lewis was drawn into a heated debate with Cox over his approach to acting after Cox made disparaging remarks about method acting in interviews. Day-Lewis, however, maintains that he has always been committed to immersing himself in his characters on and off set, which he believes allows for more authentic performances.
The actor took issue with the notion that method actors are "lunatics" who abandon all sense of reality to play their roles. Instead, he argued that his approach is a means to an end – to create a living, breathing character that can interact with others on screen.
"I don't think it's about some kind of lunacy," Day-Lewis said. "It's about finding your own way into the performance. If people want to focus on the 'Oh, he lived in a jail cell for six months' thing, that's fine. But they should understand that this is just one aspect of the process."
Day-Lewis's frustration with method acting criticism has been evident throughout his recent press tour for the new film Anemone, which he directed and co-wrote with his son Ronan. He has repeatedly stated that he stands by his approach, even if it means contradicting opinions from colleagues like Jeremy Strong.
When asked about Cox's remarks, Day-Lewis remained calm but firm, saying that he had no idea what sparked the conflict and that he didn't feel responsible for any perceived interference with Cox's working process. The actor also made a point to distinguish himself from his method-acting peers, who often incorporate more unconventional antics into their performances.
"I choose to stay and splash around," Day-Lewis said, "rather than jump in and out or play practical jokes with whoopee cushions between takes." This approach is likely one that will continue to set him apart from other actors who prefer a more lighthearted approach to the craft.
With Anemone set to open in the UK on November 7th, Day-Lewis's comments serve as a reminder of his commitment to method acting and his determination to prove its validity. Whether or not critics will accept his vision remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Daniel Day-Lewis is not afraid to speak his mind and defend his artistic choices.
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i feel bad for brian cox tho, he just said some stuff that got taken outta proportion like who can't handle some intense acting methods lol meanwhile dan day lewis is all about the process and dedication 
it's not about being a "lunatic" but about fully immersing yourself in a role and creating something real 
i'm low-key impressed by his commitment to method acting, even if it means going against the norm 
I'm loving this whole drama between Daniel Day-Lewis and Brian Cox - it's like they're two sides of the same acting coin 
. On one hand, you've got Day-Lewis being all intense and dedicated to his craft (we get it, method acting is cool 
), but on the other hand, you've got Cox poking holes in the technique and calling out some of the more extreme examples that make people go "huh? 
".
). Maybe we're just seeing two sides of the same coin here - two actors who are passionate about their craft and willing to take a stand for what they believe in.
. Will Day-Lewis's method acting magic win over critics, or will Cox's criticisms be the nail in the coffin? Only time (and probably some great performances 
. I mean, can you imagine if everyone just accepted each other's creative approaches without questioning them? It'd be a total game-changer! Plus, I love how calm and collected he is about the whole thing - it's like he's saying, "Hey, I'm just trying to do my thing, don't knock it 'til you try it" 
I mean, come on, guys, it's just acting. You get into character, you play the part, you bring it home. It's not like they're saying "I'm going to live in this costume for six months" and expect us to be all like "Wow, that's so intense". 
And another thing, who are these method acting critics? Do we have a whole team of experts just waiting for Daniel Day-Lewis to slip up so they can pounce on him? 
Newsflash: it's just acting.
and honestly, can't we just appreciate him for his acting chops without having to delve into the drama of his personal process? 
Like, I get what Day-Lewis is saying - he's trying to create these super immersive characters that feel real, but at the same time, Cox's just calling him out for being a bit too intense or whatever. 
It's all pretty confusing. But you know who gets a free pass? 
Daniel Day-Lewis himself... I mean, he's got some serious cred in the acting department and still manages to come off as kinda grumpy about it. 
. And honestly, who are we to judge? We've never been in his shoes (no pun intended) 
. I mean, method acting can be intense but if it helps him get into character, that's all that matters 
.