Just a few hours ago, Daniel Day-Lewis emerged from the confines of retirement to present the (arguably) greatest living director, Martin Scorsese, with the award for best director at the National Board of Review Awards in New York City on January 12, 2024.
Scorsese’s despairing 2023 epic, Killers of the Flower Moon, was the top honoree at the 95th NBR awards, which were announced previously, yet presented just this Thursday. And aside from winning best film, Martin Scorsese and Lily Gladstone picked up awards for best director and actress, respectively.
But perhaps to everyone’s surprise, was the appearance of the notoriously recluse and spotlight averse, Daniel Day Lewis, who, upon completing Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017, Phantom Thread, has retired from acting and public life.
“I was a teenager when I discovered Martin’s work,” Day-Lewis began. “With a light of his own making he illuminated unknown worlds that pulsed with a dangerous, irresistible energy – worlds that were mysterious to me and utterly enthralling. he illuminated the vast beautiful landscape of what is possible in film and he clarified for me what it is that one must ask of one self to work in faith.”
Upon being presented the award from the 3-time Oscar winning actor, Scorsese delightfully mused: “We did two films together. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Maybe there’s time for one more!”
Scorsese and Day-Lewis first worked together on the Edith Warton adaptation, 1993’s The Age of Innocence, followed by the slightly more Scorsese-esque New York crime epic, 2002’s Gangs of New York (which was also the first collaboration between Leonardo DiCaprio and the masterful director).
Contrary to most aging director’s who have undoubtedly lost their cinematic touch *cough* Napoleon *cough*, Scorsese’s recent film proved he’s got plenty of artillery left in the creative tank. A film fan can only pray they make one more film together.
Here’s Day-Lewis spitting some criminal wisdom in 2002’s Gangs of New York
Martin Scorsese featured image photo credit: JEENAH MOON
