There are actors who take things to another level—risking tremendous amounts of both physical and mental health—for the sake of achieving the closest possible semblance of realism to a character as possible.

A lot of times it is a dazzling display of dedication, and the reward at the end of the self-imposed throes merits the sacrifice. Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta, Ben Kingsley as Ghandi, Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof, Christian Bale as Dickey Eklund all received just rewards for the compromise of their health in the form of that coveted Golden statue.

In the end though, I often wonder if it really is worth it?

In the behind the scenes trivia on IMDB—which I couldn't help but scan through after I finished watching this movie—I wasn't surprised in the slightest to see that Daniel Day Lewis had incurred broken bones and induced the wrath of his cast mates when he refused to break character between takes. And in a similar transformation, I have heard horror stories through the medium of interviews that Matthew Modine found Vincent D'onofrio's method acting—in order to enhance the psychotic Gomer Pyle character—between takes unnecessary and aggravating.

But, to both Daniel and Vincent's credits, their portrayals were amazing.

Maybe some people know no other form of dedication other than absolute and demand 110% out of any endeavor they deem worthy of their time. I know I am guilty of this and oftentimes in the past I would become more terrified of waking up late to go to work than I was concerned about getting into automotive wrecks—which could cost myself, and others, their life—on the way to the time clock. So, having said that, is it really too far fetched to think that [the extraordinary lengths] that actors like Daniel Day Lewis reach for in their craft are a bit too egregious? Most Americans sacrifice much more on a weekly basis for a paycheck that is only a fraction of what A-lister's average for a box-office title that—more often than not—fades into irrelevance.

Pondering's aside, I thought that Daniel's performance was stunning and stole the entire show. It was both heartbreaking and inspiring to watch the perseverance unfold while enduring a disability that is unfathomable to most people. All while oftentimes forgetting that the main character, in real life, has no such hurtles—even remotely close—to deal with.

A stellar project that left me with immense and renewed gratitude for my blessings and inspired me to continue reaching for success despite the odds testifying to the contrary everyday.

Stars: ****

Verdict: Watch

Cousins: Awakenings, Rain Man, Misery, Good Will Hunting, Forrest Gump