proud_luddite Based on a true story: In 1920s Copenhagen, Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne) is a landscape artist and his wife Gerda (Alicia Vikander) is a portrait artist. When a female model is late to pose for Gerda, she asks Einar to temporarily replace her, partly dressed in women's clothes. This incident re-stimulates Einar's early desires to live as a female.It is also notable that Einar's transition to Lili Elbe is one of the first known transgender incidents in history.I'm sure my fellow movie buffs can recall times when a film was universally acclaimed and we just didn't see what any of the fuss is about. Sometimes, we even disliked the film. For me, the most glaring cases were probably "Lost in Translation" back in 2003 and "Life is Beautiful" in 1997."The Danish Girl" creates that rare situation in the opposite direction: a film that is universally rated as mediocre or disappointing; but one which I found superb. The naysayers at least agree that Redmayne and Vikander are great in their roles. More on that later.I believe that director Tom Hooper (who helped raise "The King's Speech" to such a high level) deserves great credit for elevating the mood in this film to one of intensity mixed with beauty. There is much risk in expressing true identity at a time when the term "transgender" did not even exist. The deeper understanding of artists, among others, is on display with kindness and compassion. The beauty of cities like Copenhagen, Paris, and Dresden (with exquisite set designs, cinematography, and music) all contribute to keep the aesthetics of this film at the highest level.But it truly is the acting that makes this film as great as it is. Redmayne's performance alone would have been adequate but Vikander's contribution is more than that of a supporting role. As an emerging artist and as a woman whose marriage is changing in ways that could never have been equaled at that time, Vikander brings great depth to Gerda as her love and support are unyielding during a very difficult and unusual time.Redmayne is truly sensational in this film. This is not a surprise considering his turn in last year's "The Theory of Everything" for which he was rightly praised with multiple awards. In "Danish Girl", his depth goes even further as he boldly and courageously exposes the sensitivity of a unique and misunderstood soul. From the time he first reacts to wearing women's clothes, the movie is riveting as he easily conveys nuance in his facial expressions and takes great risks to be truthful and authentic.As Charlize Theron did with "Monster", Redmanyne's sublime performance raises a fine film to an even greater level.OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Lead Performance by Eddie Redmayne

vishnoisuyash If you don't know the plot and even don't intend to then this review is for you. This movie shows how beautifully the love can be represented. I just want to say the one word for this movie and that is "AWESOME". I watched this movie at 3 am and my eyes were crying to sleep but this movie just trapped me in its emotions which was the result of the flawless representation and natural acting of the superb actors. Portrayal of real characters is as it must be(advice for the people who said that Eddie Redmayne did not do true judgement with the character) and what to say about Alicia Vikandar, I was internally in love with her while watching the movie. Her expressions and dialogue-delivery just revive the real Gerda Wegenar. Shooting locations are so impressive. It is a beautiful movie. It also contain some nude scenes but there is no sex. Those scenes are the demand of the depiction of the story. Some scene indirectly represents the feelings of Einar Wegener(Lead Male/Female(You will understand after watching the movie) character).Let us see you can feel them or not(I am hinting "Creation of a painting so many times"). If you are really interested in watching a master-piece emotional drama and did not have any hatred for non-straight persons then this movie is specially created to invest your precious time in it.

shishiir This movie is a must watch for all those men who have girly nature and some girl inside them. Story is very true and lot of things can be learned .Must watch to know more about Gender feeling. It's based on painter couple. Wife of painter and actress of movie has done a great job . Her acting is world class.

dierregi Loosely based on a "real" story, the plot is about Einar Wegener/Lili, one of the first transgender people to undergo surgery. The story starts in 1926, with Einar happily married to Gerda. Both are painters, enjoying some fame in Copenhagen. One day Gerda asks Einer to wear silk stockings to pose for an unfinished portrait of a ballerina and from then on Einar starts discovering Lili, his "female" side, which will end up "killing" Einar.Gerda pursues her career and finds success with Einar's portraits as his female counterpart Lili. The couple moves to Paris, where Einar can leave more openly as Lili in the bohemian artist society. Also, Gerda meets a former friend of Einar, the brooding and all-male Hans, who stirs feelings presumably more pleasant than dealing with your husband's trans-sexuality.After several disastrous meetings with different doctors, all of whom think Einar is insane, a German surgeon finally announces he will try to help Einar getting rid of his male parts and start living fully as Lili. Gerda, supported by Hans, decides to stick to Lili's decision and stays with her "husband" during his medical treatment. However, surgery is a risky business, even more so a hundred years ago…. The movie created - predictably - some controversy. Some criticized the fictional character of Hans, but I think he provided a much needed masculine but discreet performance, to balance the Einar/Lili character. Vikander is really good in showing the strong mix of emotions Gerda felt during Einar's journey: from amusement to worry, from horror, desperation and rage and finally to support. I did not like much Redmayne as Einar/Lili. Granted it was a difficult part to play, but Redmayne drove me to distraction with his hands movements and his fluttering of eyelashes. Besides, he was not even remotely believable as a woman, just a guy in wig and drags. I am surprised he did not "attract" more bewildered reactions, especially during the first outing at the big ball in Copenhagen. That anybody there mistook him for a girl is ludicrous.Photography and costumes are very good, especially the choice of the cold, Nordic light and minimalist interiors. However, after the move to Paris, the story does slow down considerably and even more so after the first surgery, when I thought the movie should finish, but there was still a bit to go. A tighter editing and a different male lead would have helped.