The Danish Girl
Overview
The Danish Girl is a 2015 biographical romantic drama film directed by Tom Hooper, based on the true story of Lili Elbe (Eddie Redmayne), one of the first known recipients of sex reassignment surgery. The film follows Einar Wegener, a successful landscape painter, and his wife, Gerda (Alicia Vikander), a portrait painter. Einar begins to dress as a woman, Lili, to help Gerda with a painting. He discovers that he is a woman trapped in a man's body. The film follows his journey to become his true self, and the effect it has on his marriage. The film is a powerful, emotional, and sensitive portrayal of a transgender pioneer. Eddie Redmayne gives a nuanced, sensitive performance as Lili. Alicia Vikander gives a powerful, Oscar-winning performance as Gerda. The Danish Girl was a critical and commercial success, earning over $64 million on a $15 million budget. It won one Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Alicia Vikander. It was nominated for three other Oscars, including Best Actor for Eddie Redmayne. The film is a beautiful, moving, and important film about the struggle for identity and the power of love.
