THE DANISH GIRL - review

THE DANISH GIRL
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Amber Heard, Ben Whishaw, Matthias Schoenaerts

Synopsis: A fictitious love story loosely inspired by the lives of Danish artists Einar (to become Lili Elbe) and Gerda Wegner. Einar and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Einar's groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer becoming Lili Elbe.

The first thing I remember seeing Eddie Redmayne in was SAVAGE GRACE in 2007, I loved him then and I love him even more now. 12 months of the back of his award winning performance in THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, Redmayne is back with a performance that is equally as good and a transformation that only he could pull off. The true story of Einar Wegner's (Eddie Redmayne)  journey to become Lili Elbe in the 20's and 30's and how his wife Gerda Wegner (Alicia Vikander) copes with and assists this transition is tragic and yet somehow awe-inspiring, and Tom Hooper has created a film that evokes similar emotions.

There are small hints of what is to come in the beginning, Redmayne running his hand over a rack of women's clothing, a longing look at a beautiful pair of shoes, but much of the beginning of the film is setting up what a happy and functional marriage Einar and Gerda have. How perfect they are together, how perfect they are for each other, how perfect their lives are. And they almost convince you, but those small subtle hints that something is not quite right has you teetering on the edge of disbelief.

The beginning of the end

Image via Universal Pictures

When Gerda's model cancels a session, she asks her ever loving husband to put on the stockings and shoes so she can finish her work, and holds the dress up against him. That is the moment you see a flicker of Lili in Einar's eyes. Something there that isn't him, yet strangely is. He is christened Lili by their good friend Ulla, and Gerda convinces Einar to attend a party he has no interest in by coming as Lili where she meets, flirts with and kisses Henrik. Something inside of Einar has changed, you can see it in his eyes and slowly but surely the Wegner's lives fall apart. Einar continues to dress as Lili in secret after Gerda begged him to stop playing the silly game they had made up, until he can no longer go on living a double life. Trips to doctors, who mostly call him insane, or gay, fail to make a great change in Einar who now spends more and more time as Lili, and slowly but surely Gerda comes to terms with the fact that the person she married is slowly disappearing. Lili becomes Gerda's muse and her big break in the art world, and Gerda becomes Lili's biggest advocate.

There is significant criticism that Hooper haws played it safe with this film and its subject matter, and while that may be true, I don't think the film is any worse off for it. Carried by stellar performances by Redmaye and Vikander alike THE DANISH GIRL is powerful and it brings on all the feels. Aside from my penchant for Redmayne, who is marvellous in this film, Alicia Vikander is absolutely the one who steals the show here. Her journey through the film is incredible, there isn't an emotion she doesn't feel, and damned if she doesn't make you feel them with her.

Gerda doesn't stop loving her husband or the woman he has become

Image via Universal Pictures

There is something about the chemistry between these two that really makes the film work, the other actors are merely shadows in this film, which is a shame because it's not like they're terrible actors, they're actually quite good. You just don't really notice them or what they're saying and doing. There could have been more to them throughout the film, but it's only upon reflection that I think that. I didn't mind during the film, I was too wrapped up in Redmayne and Vikander to care.

Don't let what the critics are saying put you off, I really enjoyed THE DANISH GIRL and think it's worth the 20-something dollars to see it at the cinema. Yes, it probably doesn't delve deeply enough into the meaty subject matter, and yes, some of the facts are loosely interpreted, but THE DANISH GIRL isn't so much about the transgender transformation as it is about the relationship between Einar/Lili and Gerda and that was magical.

3.5 out of 5

Xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

PS. If you want to know more about Lili Elbe's story check out this article from The Telegraph

TESTAMENT OF YOUTH - review

TESTAMENT OF YOUTH
Director: James Kent
Cast: Alicia Vikander, Kit Harrington, Taron Egerton, Colin Morgan, Emily Watson, Dominic West

TESTAMENT OF YOUTH is the film adaptation of Vera Brittain's memoir and is a tastefully executed film that doesn't quite do the powerful and moving memoir justice. Vera Brittain's story is an incredible journey of a young woman desperate to make something of herself and become a writer whose world is torn apart by the ravages of war. She gives up her hard earned place at Oxford to volunteer as a nurse, loses a friend, her fiance and her brother - a cruel irony given that she convinced her father to let him sign up.

If you haven't read the book and you like to read, I would recommend reading the book over watching the film. The film is fine enough, it tells the story well, but doesn't leave room for the passion and anger that should have been depicted in this film about the horrors of war. Alicia Vikander plays a lovely Vera, but she isn't afforded the time or direction to really let show the breadth and depth of emotion that should have been there.

such a lovely ensemble whose talents were a little wasted

The performances all round were lovely, but everyone seemed slightly reserved. It felt a little like it was just on the peak of the emotional explosion, but for fear of offending people or perhaps a desire to keep it all in good taste director Kent doesn't let it go. Given the sheer talent of this fantastic little ensemble I was disappointed. Vikander has one brief moment at the end of the film where she lets rip on the futility of war, but I wanted more. Kit Harrington (Vera's fiance Roland) comes back from the front on home leave and you can tell he's tormented, but again, apart from one moment where the anguish really shines through, the emotion is a little stiff. Taron Egerton (Vera's brother Edward) and Colin Morgan (Vera's friend Victor) are also both wonderful actors and yet they seem a little lost in this piece. Egerton's relationship with Vikander is natural and loving and they seem as close as siblings can get, but when Edward dies just a short time after Vera saved his life in a 'hospital' at the front she should be madder, and sadder or something. We should have been given more - I felt more, but I didn't get to share that more with the characters.

Vera and Roland on their first real date

I felt like I should have been a sobbing mess during parts of this film, but the emotion was held back just enough that it didn't quite take me there. I had one moment where a few tears fell, but I wasn't the blubbering mess I had prepared myself to be. I could tell the points where Kent wanted to audience to really feel and to open the flood gates, but I wasn't taken there and that's saying something given that I usually cry at the drop of a hat in films!

Overall the film is lovely, well executed, well acted and well directed. There isn't much to fault it on in terms of the quality of the production, however it was a little more reserved that I had been anticipating and to me that was disappointing. With such a powerful and affecting source material, I think there was so much more that could have been acheived in this film. No matter, I'm still glad I went to see it. I think it will sit well with most audiences, and that people who have perhaps not read A TESTAMENT OF YOUTH will enjoy it and will not find fault with the level of emotion in the film as I did.

If you don't mind the odd war film, superb costuming and set design, lovely acting and a hint of romance then I think it's worth spending the 20-something dollars on a ticket for TESTAMENT OF YOUTH. If however you have read the book and have high hopes for this piece, either lower your expectations significantly, or save your dollars and wait for it to come out on DVD.

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell