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

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD - review

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, Tom Sturridge

Based on the novel of the same title by Thomas Hardy, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD has once again been adapted for the screen, this time by David Nicholls (ONE DAY, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES). If you're unfamiliar with the book, the plot like goes like this;

In Victorian England, the independent and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood, a prosperous and mature bachelor. 

********************************SPOILER ALERT**********************************

Or as I like to put it, independent and headstrong girl charms the pants off three different men, marries the worst possible one, torments the most appropriate one, and friend-zones the one she really loves. Then everything falls apart and **SPOILER ALERT** she realises she was wrong the whole time.

I know this story very well, I loved English Lit and did a fair amount of reading, this version was pretty pared back, far less angsty than the original story, and with a lot less heart. That being said, it was well directed, and the casting is superb. Carey Mulligan plays Bathsheba Everdene and palys her well. She is astoundingly beautiful, wistful, kind and plays the independent woman well. Matthias Scoenaerts, does justice to Oak, he's easy on the eye *wink*, and you can see the underlying love in his eyes the whole film (even if Bathsheba can't). Sheen and Sturridge, are a little flimsy in comparison, but they are still good even if slightly mismatched.

Carey Mulligan as Bathsheba Everdene

image via Fox Studios

The film is a pretty looking period piece, and I didn't feel like I'd wasted my time. What I did feel was that the film didn't do the book justice. I think it suits the general audience, it's a nice story, with a fantastic love triangle, but for the literary fan it doesn't quite hit the mark. 

Everdene and Oak

Everdene and Troy

Everdene and Boldwood

images via Fox Studios

The relationship between Everdene and Oaks, is the one that needs to be right in this film as it is the stallwart of this whole story, and they do get it right. The tension between them - love, hurt, regret - it's there the whole time and palpable. Unfortuantely the other relationships don't have room in this film to blossom the way they should and it's a crying shame. 

Everything we know about Everdene crumbles in the scene where she falls for Troy and it shouldn't . The reason she falls for him in the book is tied greatly to his sexual magnetism and the fact that he is the one man that doesn't need her. All it takes in the film however is a fancy bit of sword work and a kiss. I found that greatly disappointing. The same goes for Sheen's Boldwood. The fact that Everdene doesn't love him is irrelevant, she is the precious treasure that he can't have and he will do everything in his power to get her. He doesn't care that she doesn't love him, he just wants her. The film doesn't give Sheen the room to breathe that obsession, and he has the talen to have managed it, and managed it well. 

Everdene and Oak sharing a tender moment

image via Fox Studios

If you're after a nice period piece with a feel good ending then FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD could be for you. In my opinion, I wouldn't spend the 20-something dollars on it, but rather wait for it on DVD. 

2.5 out of 5 

xoxo The Blonde Bombshell

A LITTLE CHAOS - review

A LITTLE CHAOS

Director - Alan Rickman
Cast - Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Alan Rickman, Stanley Tucci

Well wasn't that an unexpected surprise. A date night with myself after a tiresome day at work, to catch a film I didn't really know anything about other than Alan Rickman, Stanley Tucci and Kate Winslet were in it. I'm here to tell you that if you don't know anything about this film watch the trailer right now - here let me assist you with that;

and now that you've seen the trailer, tell me that you don't want to see it. Go on, I dare you! Alright, I appreciate that there are probably some of you who have no interest in seeing this film, but for those of you whose fancies were tickled by the trailer, you should definitely go. A superb cast, outstanding cinematography, a fantastic script, a score to be reckoned with and a set that takes the wind right out of you.

Madame Sabine De Barra, a female landscape gardener gets a highly coveted position of designing and building part of the gardens of the yet to be completed palace of Versailles. Her mind is chaotic - you can tell by looking at her - and her gardening style is equally chaotic, yet incredibly captivating. The chappie that hires her is very clinical in his gardening style and everything is ordered and very classical. Polar opposites in landscape gardening, and in life, and yet it seems they are each exactly what the other needs.

As she builds on her creation, she is drawn to her employer Andre Le Notre and he is equally drawn to her. Part of her magic is that she is unassuming and does not suffer the need to pander to the wants and needs of those around her. She is honest, hardworking and passionate and that shines through in Winslets performance of De Barra. What also shines through is her internal torment and it is captivating.

Winslet as Sabine De Barra in a garden shrine - sublime

There is sufficient scandal and intrigue in the story to keep the mind ticking and as readable as De Barra is, Le Notre is mysterious and tormented in his own way. I wanted to know more of his suffering outside of his marital issues - what caused his marriage to collapse aside from his philandering wife, what torment did he suffer to drive his wife to become so unfaithful? Why was she so heartless and cruel in a time that he needed her most? So many unanswered questions in the story of his life. He puts in beautifully when telling Sabine of his crumbled marriage in that they must have taught each other to behave the way that they did and that the blame was as much his as it was hers. I found that to be a very real description of relationships - we teach each other how to behave and how to treat one another. It resonated strongly with me.

The intricacies of the characters in this story were lovely and well played out, not only in the script, but also in what was told through the looks given and the gesticulation. I was captivated not only by the main characters - King Louis XIV, De Barra and Le Notre - but also the supporting characters, Madame De Montespan, Madame Le Notre, Duras and the others.

Sabine and Andre at the unveiling of the garden 

Let me rave a little more about Winslet, she is exquisite in her fear and her honesty and her openness. This is a film in which she shone and made me remember what I love about her as an actress. *gush gush gush*.

Rickman was not only outstanding as King Louis XIV is this film, but his direction was marvellous. I have not seen the other film that he has directed (THE WINTER GUEST 1997), but I do so want to see it now, because the direction of A LITTLE CHAOS was measured and appropriate and brought an beautiful story to life on the screen. Thumbs up for him on both counts in this film.

Rickman as King Louis XIV and his court

The script is wonderful, the acting exceptional and the direction and cinematography is captivating. I felt all of the emotions in this film that were being felt by the characters and I felt drawn to their stories. The film runs just shy of two hours and I did not feel bored, or conscious of the time once. In fact, I could have continued to watch as the story played out.

One of the most magical moments in this film is where we see Sabine breakdown and we discover the true reason for her torment and the way that Andre helps her deal with it. It shows the magnitude of their love and of the beauty of their personalities. It was incredible to watch it unfold even for the brief moment it was on the screen. Each a little broken in their own way, but coupled their broken pieces seem to fit together.

The unveiling of the garden

The film ended beautifully in the completed garden (which was magnificent), which was of course the best place for it to end, but I could have watched for another two hours before we reached that point just discovering the stories of the characters in this film.



I would highly recommend that you spend the 20-something dollars to see this film if you like the trailer.

4.5 out of 5 for this gorgeous piece of cinema.

xox
The Blonde Bombshell