This 95% Fresh Drama Is the Most Carefully Hidden Gem in Daniel Day-Lewis' Filmography
It starts as a political thriller and evolves into a universal tragedy about family, dignity, and the price of freedom.
Among Daniel Day-Lewis' high-profile roles – from an oil worker in There Will Be Blood to a couturier in Phantom Thread – there's one that often goes overlooked.
In the Name of the Father, which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, is a powerful social drama and one of the most poignant and personal acting achievements of Day-Lewis' career.
What Is 'In the Name of the Father' About?
The movie recounts the high-profile case of the Guildford Four, four Irishmen who were wrongfully convicted of bombing pubs in the English town of Guildford in 1974.
Amid the intense conflict between Great Britain and the Irish Republican Army, the authorities needed culprits and found them in random individuals who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Daniel Day-Lewis plays Gerry Conlon, a young Irishman whose life suddenly turns into a nightmare.
'In the Name of the Father' Is Based on Real Tragic Events
In the Name of the Father is an adaptation of Gerry Conlon's autobiography, Proven Innocent, lending the story poignant authenticity.
It exposes the fatal flaws and biases of the British judicial system at that time. The Guildford Four and the associated Maguire Seven received harsh sentences ranging from several years to life in prison.
They were fully exonerated 15 years later, but not all of the convicted men lived to see it.
'In the Name of the Father' Is Much More Than a Typical Legal Drama
Though the plot centers on a struggle against an unjust system, the heart of the movie is a story of personal transformation and profound human relationships.
Day-Lewis portrays his character's remarkable evolution: from a frivolous youth and petty thief to an unwavering, determined fighter for justice under the pressure of circumstances.
However, the main catalyst for this transformation is not the lawyers but his complex, painful, and loving relationship with his father. Their forced confinement together becomes a crucible in which mutual grievances melt away and a new, tragic bond is forged.
As always, Day-Lewis completely immersed himself in the role. He lost 50 pounds, spent three days in solitary confinement, and demanded that the film crew douse him with cold water to fully immerse himself in the atmosphere of deprivation.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'In the Name of the Father'?
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In the Name of the Father has 94% from critics and 95% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.1/10.
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On Letterboxd, In the Name of the Father scored 4.2/5.0.
Where to Watch 'In the Name of the Father'?
In the Name of the Father is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
