Review of The Danish Girl (2015) by Roger C — 13 Jan 2016

This is shockingly good. Not just because of spectacular performances and a beautiful script but because it is plausible. Though based on a true story, it is easy to doubt the veracity of such stories because Hollywood works so hard to crush conservative values.

All sides are revealed here. Was this person self-indulgent, narcissistic and selfish? Yes. Was this aspect get swept under the rug? No. Did the film portray the sentiment of the day, provincial mores and regional perspective or did it transfer present-day ideals and verbiage and project them here for effect? I must honestly say yes and no, which is extremely rare.

The film is also entertaining if you like beauty, erotica and nudity. Will a middle America, anti-Hollywood-values traditionalist enjoy this? Not at first but it is so engaging, engrossing and poignant that no one could not be mesmerized by the end and rooting for Lilly.

Gerda Wegener was also a truly fascinating woman I am sure almost no one has heard of. She was so devoted to her husband and yet so libertarian that one is drawn to her real character. Her paintings were incredible.