The Danish Girl * * *

Probably because previous generations made such a balls-up of accepting homosexuality, I think this generation is keen not to make the same mistakes with Transgender people.  

Good to know we’ve learnt something.

So The Danish Girl gives us a serious drama on the subject.  

It’s based on a true story, but a long way from what actually happened apparently. Though I don’t think that really matters unless sugar coating bothers you.

Eina and Gerda are a couple of young Danish artists in the 1920’s. He’s doing alright with his landscapes. She’s knocking off portraits for anyone who’ll pay.  One day she needs to finish the portrait of a ballerina and asks her husband, Eina, to pose. Being a good sport he puts on stockings and holds the ballerina dress in front of him, and ……Bingo!

Next thing you know Eina has renamed himself Lilli and Gerda can’t get him out of girly clothes, which makes him pretty useless around the house, but you get the impression he never was much of a handyman.

But Gerda is quite interested in this new Lilli character that has emerged out of her husband and does a series of paintings of her which are an instant hit.

So it’s goodbye to Copenhagen and hello to Paris.

But Lilli has completely crossed the line now. Even when he has to be Eina and wear men's clothes, they look more like a woman's trouser set.  They try therapy and doctors come up with all sorts of crackpot advice but it’s hopeless.

For Gerda (Alicia Vikander) it is hard, for she realises she is losing her husband. Although her performance as a devil-may-care bohemian seems a bit contrived, there is also something very touching about her acceptance, understanding and patience and Vikander plays that part well. To be honest what is happening to her becomes more fascinating that what is happening to Lilli.

It’s not easy playing the opposite sex I am sure and Eddie Redmayne kind of proves this. To me most of his changes seemed external.   Other than the claims in his dialogue he struck me as more of a Transvestite than someone with a genuine deep-seated Transgender need. I rarely felt there was a woman inside screaming to be let out. Sorry, I know he’s a good actor and all that, but that’s the way it came across.

Matthias Schoenaerts also impresses as Hans, a friend and a true gentleman. He is an inspiring character.

Tom Hooper's films always look beautiful and this is no exception.  I know it is unlikely they would have apartments of such generous proportions but hey, it just looks great!

You do feel The Danish Girl has an agenda but ultimately it is a film that encourages our understanding and that’s not a bad thing.