The Danish Girl tells the story of Lili Elbe, a Danish painter who transitions from male to female in the early 1920s. Eddie Redmayne plays Lili, and Alicia Vikander plays Gerda, Lili’s wife and former lover. The film follows their relationship through surgery, rejection, and the public scrutiny that comes with being one of the first people to undergo gender confirmation surgery.
Trailer, via Universal Pictures UK.
Opening Act
The film opens in Copenhagen, where Lili and Gerda live together as a married couple. Their bond is tender, but Lili’s inner turmoil is visible from the start. The script, adapted from David Ebershoff’s novel, leans heavily on dialogue about identity, love, and what it means to be a man or a woman in a world that offers no middle ground.
The Turning Point
Lili’s journey toward surgery is the film’s central arc. The movie dramatizes her decision to pursue medical treatment in Germany, where doctors were beginning to experiment with gender reassignment procedures. The film does not hide the physical toll of these early operations, showing Lili’s recovery and the risks she takes.
Gerda’s Perspective
Gerda’s role is central to the film’s emotional weight. She struggles to accept Lili’s transition while also loving her deeply. Vikander carries much of the film’s emotional work, and her performance as Gerda anchors scenes that would otherwise feel heavy-handed.
Redmayne’s Performance
Redmayne received Oscar nominations for his work here. His Lili is soft-spoken and fragile, and he commits fully to the character’s transformation. Some critics praised the performance, while others found the portrayal overly theatrical. The film’s success depends on him selling the audience on Lili’s inner life.
Historical Accuracy
The film is based on real events, but it takes liberties with chronology and character detail. The timeline of Lili’s surgeries and the people around her are condensed for dramatic effect. Some viewers will find this compression frustrating, while others will appreciate the streamlined narrative.
The Critical Reception
The Danish Girl was not a major box office hit, and its reception was mixed. Reviews praised the performances but questioned the film’s handling of its subject matter. The movie is often described as respectful, but some critics argued that respect required more complexity than the film ultimately delivered.
A Comparison of Approaches
| Film | Focus | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| The Danish Girl | Surgical transition | Tender, somber |
| Portrait of a Lady on Fire | Romantic intimacy | Passionate, restrained |
Running Order
| Scene | Time |
|---|---|
| Opening: Copenhagen | Present |
| Surgery: Germany | Middle |
| Recovery: Copenhagen | Middle |
| Public scrutiny: Copenhagen | Late |
| Final scenes: Copenhagen | End |
The Verdict
The Danish Girl is a competently made, well-acted film that handles a difficult subject with care. It respects its characters and its historical setting, but it does not fully capture the radical nature of Lili’s decision. The film’s emotional core is strong, but its political context feels thin.
For viewers interested in transgender history, the film is a starting point rather than a definitive statement. For those seeking a moving romance, it delivers. For those looking for a nuanced exploration of identity, it falls short.
The Danish Girl is a sincere attempt at a difficult story. It is not a great film, but it is a serviceable one.
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