Based on David Eberhoff’s novel by the same name…we journey into the Real-Life story of Einar Wegener/Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener, painters and illustrators in the early 1900’s in Europe ~ as we soon find that Einar has always felt more like a woman, than a man…and with the support and compassion of his wife Gerda, he forges into the life of one of the first transgender women in history…THIS IS THE DANISH GIRL!
Married at the young ages of 22 and 19, we meet the famous landscape artist Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne) and his beautiful wife, illustrator and painter Gerda (Alicia Vikander).
When Gerda must finish a portrait she is working on of her friend Ulla (Amber Heard), she asks her devoted husband to don Ulla’s clothes, opening up a menagerie of feelings for Einar, as he has always felt drawn to living his life as a woman…
Realizing the struggles that face her husband, and the torment he endures within himself, Gerda watches him transform into the beautiful woman Lili. As Gerda’s love and support continues for her beloved, allowing Einar the ability to become the WOMAN that has always been deep within himself, she too struggles with having to give up the life she he so loved living… ~ as his wife…
I give THE DANISH GIRL a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN ~ Visually perfect and emotionally raw ~ this film will take you deep into the lives and struggles that these two must face, as Einar/Lili comes to terms with his sexuality, and his eventual reassignment to live out the remainder of his days as a woman. Redmayne is absolutely incredible as Einar/Lili, once again giving an exceptional performance, which is definitely worthy of the GOLDEN GLOBE nomination he has received for BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR, as I am sure an OSCAR nod will soon be coming for this performance too. And Vikander’s performance is equally outstanding, also worthy of her GOLDEN GLOBE nomination for BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS, and, I hope and OSCAR nod will be coming her way as well, as her performance in this film is just as pivotal, crucial and riveting as Redmayne’s, in telling this tale of true love and acceptance. If you love biographical material with a definite EDGE, then this is one film that you will definitely want to catch before 2016 arrives, as THE DANISH GIRL is sheer perfection at every turn…
Kathy Kaiser
MATINEE CHAT with Kathy Kaiser 