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For reasons unbeknownst to me, I've become curious about the movie, "The Danish Girl". Early reviews indicated that it might be too poignant for me, so I passed when it came out. So, how was it? Was it decently done? I'm post op and know how it is. Was it worth it?
Gwen
Comments
A Love Story
As a TG primer it didn't break any new ground. As a love story it was compelling and riveting. Eddie R is amazing.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
I thought it was a beautiful movie
the love between the two main characters was amazing, and I cried at the end.
Love Story
Although Eddie Redmayne was convincing as Lili, Alicia Vikander stole the movie playing the reluctantly supportive wife. I never read the original book but gather the screen story is very different. I watched it as a love story and as such it succeeded.
Rhona McCloud
Yes
I didn't mean to slight Alicia Vikander's performance. Her beauty is breath-taking.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Tuned in for the story
Stayed for Alicia Vikander's performance. She won the Oscar for her performance in this film, and it was so well deserved. The only actress who was close was Kate Winslet for Steve Jobs.
The movie is about lily's transition, but for me it was about the pain Gerda goes through while she see the love of her life slowly slip away and become another person. I felt her heartbreak and humanity. Here she was hopefully alive exuding her love and humanity all ln the effort to lose her husband. She was EXTRAORDINARY in her happiness plain feeling, and her suffering,
Eddie Redmayne does a phenomenal job however for me Vikander is what makes the movie human,
Vikander earlier in the year had starred in Ex Machina where she played an artificial lifeform or android. I went back to watch it just to contrast the two performances.
It worked.
As a love story it basically worked on the basis of 'love conquers all - or at least most things'.
As a transgender story it's historically accurate as it portrays the unbelievable attitudes of the clinicians of the 1930's for as you know Gwen, they hadn't changed much in our early days of the 1950's. I found my self crying during the aversion therapies scenes and I was still a bit tearful when we left. Later as we shared a meal I was angry then tearful by stages.
Mandy stayed with me that night and I was thankful.
It's worth seeing Gwen for there are elements that touch every one of us in her story.
x Bev.
My Pennies
I cannot add a lot to what has been said. It is a very thought-provoking film that will leave most of the audience with bittersweet memories. It is one thing to proclaim that you would love someone enough to let them go, but it is quite another to be faced with the knowledge that the only way that your loved one can find true happiness is to leave you.
I thought all of the principal characters were excellently portrayed.
Be kind to those who are unkind, tolerant toward those who treat you with intolerance, loving to those who withhold their love, and always smile through the pains of life.
May or may not go see it ...
Don't understand why anyone would wish to shed more tears; had enough, too much of that. The last scenes of "Lord of The Rings", where Bilbo and Frodo leave on the ship is so understandable to me. I know about the path taken in "The Danish Woman", have the experiences, still mourn the losses, and they were many, too many. For those who feel compelled to take that path, I wish you the best.
Yes, she gave a great performance in "Ex-Machina". I might go to see the movie for that alone. As to glorifying transition, I can tell you with sure and certain knowledge, it is the way of pain. Perhaps times will change...
Give it points for being mainstream
I thought first of all, and most of all, that it was a beautiful film. Amazingly beautiful: the scenes, the places, the interiors, the clothes... It really gives you a feel for how modern the 1920s were.
And then -- my only negative -- is that Eddie Redmayne's smile is sometimes unnerving.
But what it does do well is show how, once the door was open to being a woman, how Einar couldn't resist being Lili. And back then, when SRS was only a possibility, and a very dangerous one, how Lili grabbed at it, agreeing immediately, ignoring the risks.
And then, as others commented, it was worth seeing the movie just for Alicia Vikander. She has an unearthly beauty, and the character she played was probably the most understanding partner a trans person could ever hope or wish for.
And the cutest line, addressed to Lili, "I've only liked a handful of people in my life, and you've been two of them."