Not wanting to see the film is connected to the decision I’ve made to stop working as an actor. But it’s not why the sadness came to stay. That happened during the telling of the story, and I don’t really know why. One of my sons is interested in musical composition, so I showed him the film Tous Les Matins du Monde, about the French composer Sainte-Colombe. My son was deeply struck by the sobriety that it took to create that work, Sainte-Colombe’s refusal to accept less than what was extraordinary from himself or anyone else. I dread to use the overused word ‘artist,’ but there’s something of the responsibility of the artist that hung over me. I need to believe in the value of what I’m doing. The work can seem vital. Irresistible, even. And if an audience believes it, that should be good enough for me. But, lately, it isn’t.”
While proclamations of retirement aren’t anything knew to the entertainment business (how many “Farewell Tours” have the Rolling Stones or Cher embarked on?”), Day-Lewis knew his commitment to stepping away from acting for good came with the statement that he was retiring. He says:
“I knew it was uncharacteristic to put out a statement, but I did want to draw a line. I didn’t want to get sucked back into another project. All my life, I’ve mouthed off about how I should stop acting, and I don’t know why it was different this time, but the impulse to quit took root in me, and that became a compulsion. It was something I had to do.”
While it sadly appears that this is it for Day-Lewis, the actor and his final film surely won’t go without notice. The drama, which is pegged for a Christmas Day release, has already started screening for critics in New York and will undoubtedly be an awards contender as the film is being released in time for critics and industry awards, and most importantly, for Oscar consideration.
There are very few times when people can so confidently predict that an actor will be nominated for an Academy Award sight-unseen, but it seems like a foregone conclusion that Day-Lewis will be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for the sixth time. No matter if he wins or loses, it isn’t the point: an era of acting brilliance is about to come to an end.