Filmmaker Tom Hooper’s film The Danish Girl is the stunning story of the first man to have undergone a gender reassignment surgery. Not only is the story fascinating, but the performances by the film’s lead actors Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander are simply mind-blowing.
The Danish Girl tells the story of Einar Wegener, an artist, played by Eddie Redmayne. He later transitions into a woman and calls herself Lili Elbe. Einar is married to Gerda played by Alicia Vikander. One day, he admits to her that he feels more like a woman on the inside. Gerda, who is also an artist, initially encourages her husband’s feelings, thinking of it as a game of some sort. She even gives him a pair of stockings and heels. But when Gerda begins missing her husband, she realises that Einar has already gone too far.
Tom Hoopers handles this sensitive subject with great ease and beauty. Redmayne delivers an impeccable performance. His transformation from a man to a woman goes well beyond his clothes. But for me, the one who really adds soul to the film is Alicia Vikander.
The Danish Girl is a masterpiece and both Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander are well deserving contenders for the Oscars this year. I give The Danish Girl 4 out of 5 Quints.
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