THE DANISH GIRL

This poignant biopic drama set in Copenhagen in the 1920’s is inspired by the extraordinary true story of Danish painters Einar and Gerda Wegener, and details their mental anguish upon the realization that Einar was in fact a woman trapped in a man’s body.

Categorized as schizophrenic, perverse and bordering on insane, Einar defied medical opinion and was the first recipient of complex sex reassignment surgery which could potentially lead to happiness and new beginnings – or tragedy.

Eddie Redmayne is perfectly cast and delivers another astonishing and moving performance as Einar/Lily, his smooth feminine features radiate sensuality as a woman and he convincingly brings the alluring Lily to life. Alicia Vikander shines as his loving wife Gerda, the catalyst to Lily’s emergence, when she asks her husband to model a dress.

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards including nods for Redmayne and Vikander’s performances, this beautiful story of self-discovery and one person’s courage, who claimed “doctors intervened to correct an error in nature”, is thought-provoking and heart-wrenching at times.

Mature audiences should connect emotionally with Lily and be inspired by the lady who followed her heart and inadvertently gave birth to the transgender movement. (MMo)

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