The topics that are discussed in Tom Hooper’s latest effort, The Danish Girl, are fairly controversial. In fact with all that’s been happening in the world as of late, I feel this film probably could not have came at a better time. With all the negativity that surrounds the Transgender community, I must say it’s easy to forget all those naysayers when watching The Danish Girl, a positively uplifting if-not overdramatized journey that inspires just as much as it innovates. Eddie Redmayne is likely to secure his second Oscar nomination (he very well could win) as Einer Wegener a popular landscape artist who comes to terms with who he really is, a beautiful woman named Lili Elbe – a model for Einer’s wife Gerda (the terrific Alicia Vikander – who I fear does not get overlooked this award season). What transpires is a romantic rendition of one woman’s struggle to show the world who she was. With that said, although this story is technically “fictitious” it was very-much inspired by the real life accounts of Lily and Gerda as they pioneered for the Transgender community.
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The Danish Girl is, for the most part, executed to a standard high point of direction. Hooper makes great use of his scenery, and I could really feel like I saw Einer’s transition throughly. Which is only enhanced by Alexandre Desplat mesmerizing score. Redmayne is a landmark, further cementing his abilities as one of today’s most talented actors. Of course, Vikander has had quite the year as well, I enjoyed her in the terribly underrated The Man From U.N.C.L.E and she stole the show in one of the year’s best Ex Machina – here she is more or less a revelation. While I don’t think this film could (or would) get a nomination for Best Picture (sorry folks – there were better movies this year) I still think it sends the right message to the correct audience. The Danish Girl is not for everyone, however if you do embrace the nature and watch the film with an open mind, you may just get something out of it. A different perspective. B+

By: Nate Adams (@TheOnlyCritic) on Twitter & Instagram