Daniel Day-Lewis's Acting Return in Son's New Film Turned My Stomach
Anemone, though packed with strong performances, defies expectations. After eight years away from acting, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis proves he has lost none of his remarkable ability. The film implies that this gift may run in the family, as it marks the confident feature debut of his son, Ronan Day-Lewis.
Directed by Ronan Day-Lewis and co-written with his father, Anemone explores the intricate bonds between fathers, sons, and brothers. It’s understandable why Daniel Day-Lewis felt compelled to return to the screen for this work, even though he maintains he never officially retired. Still, this isn’t a film for everyone.
The story opens with a montage of a child's drawings depicting the Troubles in Northern Ireland, immediately revealing Ronan’s striking visual style and his ear for blending music and emotion. Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean portray estranged brothers, Ray and Jem—both former soldiers in the British Army during the height of the conflict.
Two decades earlier, Ray withdrew to live alone in the forest, disconnected from the modern world. The film begins when Jem sets out to find his brother and bring him back to Ray’s former partner, Nessa (Samantha Morton), and her son Brian (Samuel Bottomley). It gradually becomes clear that Jem has taken on Ray’s old role in their lives since his disappearance.
For nearly 30 minutes, no one speaks, yet the silence feels deliberate, showcasing Ronan Day-Lewis’s confident direction in unfolding character and setting without words.
Author’s Summary
A haunting, atmospheric debut by Ronan Day-Lewis that reawakens his father’s genius while examining family scars and silence as a language of reconciliation.