In what I would consider Tom Hooper’s most ambitious and successful film to date, newcomer Alicia Vikander has given one of the best performances of the year as Gerda Wegener, the wife of The Danish Girl, Married to Einar Wegener, whose true self as Lili Elbe emerges throughout the film, her role is every bit as fascinating. As Vulture’s Kyle Buchanan rightly says in his piece about queer films being really films about straight people, The Danish Girl really isn’t so much about Elbe as it is about Gerda Wegener. Within the context of this story told on film, which is probably sort of like the real story though not entirely, Vikander turns out to be the best part of it.
My daughter has already told me that the Tumblr rumblings about The Danish Girl and About Ray — or any film that casts cis gender people in place of trans actors — is going to find itself navigating a shitstorm. I do not feel qualified nor invited to comment on this debate. It’s not my place to talk about it, really, since I am not a trans person. And yes, you could say I have no right to talk about the “slave” controversy and Suffragette but there I do believe it was a “mistake.” I am defending Meryl Streep’s integrity because so few seem willing to do so, and if that makes me a racist to some — okay, fine. Call me a racist.
In this context, however, I can only look at The Danish Girl as a work of art. This is a film about a woman married to someone who is discovering or uncovering her true self. She frames the situation as “god made me a woman” and the medical team helped her become herself. It is a story about the first well-known transgender woman who underwent a series of operations to clarify her identity. Unfortunately, the final surgery (not in the film) to implant a uterus led to Lili Elbe’s death. The true story of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener is quite fascinating as Gerda was not just an understanding spouse who accepted her husband’s desires to wear her clothes — she was herself bisexual, and painted beautiful lesbian erotica. This was not depicted in The Danish Girl because you can only imagine how Academy members might react to that. This film, like The Imitation Game are more about easing progress into the lives of the rigid traditionalists and to do that one needs a light touch.
Still, I couldn’t help but imagine co-star Amber Heard and Alicia Vikander together discovering their own delights, perhaps if the film had been made in the 1980s and had been directed by Philip Kaufman. Ahem. As it is, however, it is very much a love story and more than that, a story of friendship.
Alicia Vikander walks away with the movie. With this and her performance in Ex Machina, Vikander’s star has risen fast in a very short time. It isn’t easy playing opposite a fine actor like Eddie Redmayne, whose adeptness at disappearing into a role is as evident here as it was last year when he played Stephen Hawking. Part of the reason Vikander is so accessible and Redmayne not as accessible is that he’s playing a character who has been walled off inside another person. Redmayne had to first figure out how to play someone not really himself. He then had to find Lili and bring her out, bit by bit. By the end of the film, there is no question of who she is.
Though the film paints this story as a tragedy, there is a delightful eroticism and playfulness in the paintings Gerda made of Lili, and of course in her other work. If The Danish Girl stands for anything beyond cis gendered people trying better to understand trans people, it’s that here is a film about a female painter, by god, at a time when women didn’t really do stuff like that. Gerda is, therefore, the true cinematic feminist hero of 2015. With her cigarette dangling from her teeth, her exposed ankles, her willingness to follow her then-husband’s wishes — matches this freed up actress so comfortable with her caramel-colored dancer’s body, leaning forward from Tom Hooper’s camera so that her vulva is visible — in a film that also shows Redmayne’s unwanted penis being tucked between his legs. The camera loves Vikander — not just for her unusual beauty but for the emotional life she accesses as the movie progresses. Do not miss The Danish Girl — even if you are politically opposed to cis gendered actors playing trans people. See it for the celebration of sexuality, beauty, art and freedom. See it for the magnificent discovery that is super alien Alicia Vikander. And finally, see it to watch Tom Hooper dip a brave toe into eroticism. If I found any flaw with the film it was that I wanted Hooper to take off his clothes and dive in.
I can’t see why they don’t push her in lead.
Her main competition would be a terrific Brie Larson who will probably take a lot of critics’ awards and is a terrific actress who’ll have her big year for a film everybody seems to love. Mara could do a lot of damage if Harvey is wise enough to push her in lead. Blanchett is losing momentum fast. Nobody’s talking about her film at this point and Cannes did enough to put Mara in the spotlight. Mulligan could happen but I somehow don’t buy it. And to me Lily Tomlin is a huge question mark. Could there be a wave of sentiment? Ronan? Too young? But some people love the film and it’s very much their cup of tea. For now, my money is on Larson but if Vikander goes lead, there could be an actual race.
Supporting Actress category is now starting to be formidable one with Rooney Mara, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Fonda, and now Vikander, which it seems to me a the four most likely/ assured nominees at this moment. Looking forward to seeing their respective films soon.
This — > Part of the reason Vikander is so accessible and Redmayne not as accessible is that he’s playing a character who has been walled off inside another person.
Vikander can win supporting actress but I don’t think Redmayne will repeat for this reason. Plus there’s opportunity to give an Oscar to Fassbender for Jobs or Leo or Johnny Depp.
I just want to echo everything Ryan said about The Man from U.N.C.L.E. being one of the sexiest films of the year. I completely agree.
Also, if you haven’t seen Vikander in A Royal Affair then you’re really missing out. She’s remarkable in everything she’s in, but her pairing with Mikkelsen is truly inspired and it was way before she was even a blip on the star map. Her confidence even then is astounding.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR The Light Between Oceans. UGH. I CANT IMAGINE THREE SEXIER PEOPLE TOGETHER IN A FILM THAN VIKANDER, FASSBENDER AND WEISZ. UGH. Actually, if Hardy was in it, too, I might explode.
No even factoring in the amazing performance in Ex Machina!! She’s so talented… she’s unstoppable!!
She should be nominated and WIN for Testament Of Youth!!! She was mesmerazing and heartbreakingly awesome!!
Give her the Oscar! She deserves to be double nominated!!
Sasha, now that you’ve seen this film, what d you think are the odds that Redmayne repeats? If Leo does a good job in The
Revenant, is he pretty much a lock?
Also, can Alicia Vikander win BSA?
If Joy is somehow pushed to 2016 (not likely), that could open up a Lead slot for Vikander. But then, theres still Rampling/Smith/Tomlin angling for a slot with Blanchett/Mulligan/Larson/Ronan.
Strong year for Lead Actress.
Ahem…did I dream the whole Disq…uh, you know what, as you were.
I wholeheartedly agree with everything you say here but despite not having seen the film yet (which I look forward to, primarily for the performances) I find difficult to accept the fact that Vikander is going to campaign as supporting. This is disheartening, I just hope she could end up being nominated for Testament Of Youth for lead, even though I know it’s extremely difficult to happen.
“Redmayne’s unwanted penis”
So say we all.
As far as I’m concerned he and Hooper stole Oscars so they can sit this year out.
Despite some mixed reviews, I’m still looking forward to this and I’m happy you liked it. And I’ll certainly put Testament of Youth on my watchlist. Vikander seems to be this year’s Chastain (several diverse roles in one year with one earning her an Oscar nod).
Testament of Youth is a top notch heartbreaker. A good film and a great weepie. Taron Egerton gave me feels in places I didn’t know I even could feel, and feels in places I very well did. Kit Harington smiles, which is monumental enough. Alicia Vikander is wondrous.
Henny is hungry as fuck for this Oscar, but like I give a shit.
For anyone who cannot ever get enough of Alicia Vikander, you can get more of her than you can handle in Testament of Youth. It premiered at the London Film Festival exactly a year ago, and Vikander won Best Actress at the 2014 British Independent Film Awards. Brilliant film, dazzling performance.
If you skipped The Man from U.N.C.L.E. this summer then you missed the sexiest display of lickable fuckable 4-way suave to be seen onscreen all year. Alicia Vikander, Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer and Elizabeth Debicki are the North South East and West of slinky sophistication and if there were U.N.C.L.E. action figures I could spend hours making them do all kinds of fun things in all sorts of sordid configurations.
If Derek Cianfrance doesn’t show us any sordid configurations between Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender in The Light Between Oceans a few months from now then I will ruthlessly reevaluate my feelings about him.
Relying on Cianfranc to maximise the opportunity for really hot scenes between Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender as they are lovers in real life too!
I’m looking forward to seeing this. It will definitely be up in the Oscar race.
Great piece Sasha. Definitely Hooper’s best film and it’s so beautiful to look at.
Alicia should really campaign lead. She would be nominated.
Perhaps for the win – they saw the Room/Larson campaign a bigger threat than a Carol/Mara challenge in supporting.
Seen the film, was what I wanted to write
I haven’t seen the book nor read the book so when you’re saying that her vulva is showing, is that figuratively? I’m looking forward to seeing it, even though I’m not Hooper’s biggest fan nor do I love the fact that cisgender actors played the parts.
vulva is showing, is that figuratively?
In shadow…:) But I guess my point is that he shows both of them.
“her vulva is visible — in a film that also shows his unwanted penis being tucked between his legs.”
I see somebody’s trying to get quoted in a TV spot.
Agree, Alicia is brilliant in this. I hadn’t seen her in a movie before and was mightily impressed. I had the chance to talk with her briefly after the TIFF showing at a Windsor Arms party (hosted by the Hollywood Foreign Press) and she was ever so sweet in person. Holding my hand and most appreciative of the kind words I was saying to her.