“It doesn’t matter what I wear, its what I dream.” The powerful line comes from the 2015 Indy film “The Danish Girl” and is spoken by the focal character after an internal bout of revelation, and sums up in a few words the struggle someone with Gender Dysphoria goes through.
In this case, Eddie Redmayne plays Danish artist Lili Elbe. Elbe was born Einar Wegener, and through concealment and depression eventually realizes her true identity as a woman, eventually becoming one of the first recipients of gender reassignment surgery.
The story itself, written by Lucinda Coxon and directed by Tom Hooper is a great period piece, occurring in 1920’s era Copenhagen as Einar and his wife Gerda (Alicia Vikander) are both artists struggling to survive, painting and living in an enviable loft by the marina.
For Einar, the change to Lili is one that he has kept at bay his entire life. A childhood experience saw him forced to retreat to the closet where it was easier for him to stay in those days than it is today. When Lili finally emerges, the change in Einar is a thing of beauty as he is finally becoming someone that he has always been. The portrayal is outstanding as we see Lili progress from dwelling in the shadows of the apartment to finally taking baby steps and going out in public.
Eddie Redmayne does a perfect job in the role. There are subtle signs at first, like his obsession with his wife’s lingerie and dress. Einar plays them off as bedroom fun at first before finally being okay with who he truly is – but not before multiple attempts at the hands of doctors and shrinks of the era to “cure” him.
While the title of the film may refer to Lili as the star, the real focus of the story belongs on his wife. I have never seen or heard of Alicia Vikander before but after witnessing her incredible beauty and outstanding performance in “The Danish Girl” I’m a huge fan now. Gerda is what every man would want in a partner and through the change in Einar somehow remains a dutiful wife, delivering an emotional performance that rivals any other you will see on film.
Matthias Schoenaerts became one of my new favorite actors after I saw him in “The Drop.” Here, he demonstrates great range in the supporting role of Hans Axgil, not a seedy lowlife as seen in the aforementioned movie, but a lifelong friend of Einar who partners with Gerda to help with the transition.
Having a progressive view on the world, I loved the openness and acceptance demonstrated by Gerda and Hans. That the film is based on a true story and occurs nearly 100 years ago, its a true testament to the way humans should be acting and reacting to each other – though not without some conflict as seen in one part when Lili is physically assaulted by a pair of typical jerks that would seem to fit right in even in the present day.
“The Danish Girl” is a deep picture. Its the type of thing you would expect to find in an Indy film, but its surprisingly well acted and ripe with emotions. The landscape of Denmark is a thing of beauty and the impact on the present day social struggles of the LGBTQ community is something we can all admire and appreciate.
by – Matt Christopher
