A Plainview of Daniel Day-Lewis

Yes, he's an amazing actor who doesn't work nearly enough. Yes, his work in "There Will be Blood" is the front runner for the best actor Oscar. If there is an Oscars.

Let me just mention, though, that the next interview I read with Day-Lewis characterizing how "press shy" the actor is will make it an even dozen, and "There Will be Blood" just came out around Christmas. He's about as press shy these days as Sen. Clinton.

Since this is a stage blog, I'm inclined to harken back to the last time Day-Lewis trod the boards. He played the title role in "Hamlet," way back in 1989 for Richard Eyre at the National Theatre, and he couldn't finish the run. There were some reports that Day-Lewis got so into the role that he actually thought he spotted the ghost of his own dead father on stage. He hasn't been back on stage since.

Fair enough. The man doesn't work that often, and it's not like he's grabbing at big paychecks. I think a player, particularly one nurtured in the British system, ought to go back from time to time, but, like I said, Day-Lewis's business is, quite literally, his business.

The most interesting thing about the Day-Lewis "Hamlet" turned out to be who replaced him and finished the run at the National. Anybody remember Ian Charleson from "Chariots of Fire"? Well, apparently he made an unforgettable Prince of Denmark. Especially remarkable: Charleson was dying of AIDS when he played the role. Talk about knowing whereof one speaks when reciting "To be or not be..."

I have digressed

So maybe six weeks from now, Daniel Day-Lewis wins a well deserved second Oscar, trots backstage and in his most "press shy" manner, informs us he's doing a Helen Hunt and will next play Macbeth on Broadway.

Stranger this could happen.