Anemone: Daniel Day-Lewis's Return to Acting
After an eight-year hiatus from acting, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis returns with his son Ronan Day-Lewis's directorial debut, Anemone. The film explores complex family ties between fathers, sons, and brothers against the backdrop of the Northern Ireland conflict.
Plot and Performances
Ronan Day-Lewis directs and co-writes with his father. The story centers on Ray (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Jem (Sean Bean), estranged brothers who both served in the British Army during the Troubles. Ray has lived in seclusion in a forest for 20 years, after fleeing the turmoil. Jem seeks to bring Ray back to his ex-wife Nessa (Samantha Morton) and their troubled son Brian (Samuel Bottomley), who has been raised by Jem in Ray’s absence.
The film opens with a child's drawings depicting the Northern Ireland Troubles, setting a somber tone. Notably, the first 30 minutes feature almost no dialogue, relying on Day-Lewis’s subtle acting to convey the relationships and atmosphere.
Style and Themes
Anemone is a slow burn drama emphasizing emotional weight, guilt, and abandonment. It is marked by a confident directorial style and a strong use of music. The film’s narrative unfolds through long monologues, silences, and moments of tension, diverging from typical dramatic arcs.
"Daniel Day-Lewis is superb as the 'deranged fugitive' Ray, bringing his legendary intensity, physical and emotional, to bear as he creates a troubled individual living off-grid." (Irish Examiner)
"The Oscar-winner's performance as a stoic recluse welcomes the legend back to the screen... a collaborative effort between two generations who cultivated something remarkable together." (Rolling Stone)
Cinematic Quality
The film is praised for its visual beauty and powerful performances. Cinematography is noted as stunning, with certain sequences described as some of the greatest visual experiences. However, the film’s slow pace and abstract moments may not appeal to all viewers.
Summary
Anemone is an assured and emotionally layered debut from Ronan Day-Lewis that reintroduces Daniel Day-Lewis's formidable talent, exploring themes of family, trauma, and redemption with quiet intensity and striking visuals.
Author's summary: Daniel Day-Lewis returns in his son’s film Anemone, delivering a powerful, quiet performance in a visually rich, emotional exploration of family and trauma.