The Danish Girl (2015)
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In 1920s Copenhagen, a portrait artist and her husband navigate the complexities of identity and gender in a world of changing artistic expression.
The story
In 1920s Copenhagen, portrait artist Gerda Wegener supports her husband, Einar Wegener, a talented but closeted artist. When a series of events occurs during a portrait session, Einar begins to embrace a more feminine identity, eventually taking the name Lili. As Gerda's career faces challenges, the couple's relationship is tested by the societal and personal complexities of Lili's transition. The story follows their journey through the art world and their personal evolution as they navigate the boundaries of identity and love in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1920s Copenhagen, Gerda Wegener supports her husband, Einar, a closeted trans woman. After a portrait session reveals Einar's feminine identity, she is renamed Lili. The couple moves to Paris, where Lili's portraits gain acclaim. Lili eventually seeks medical help from Dr. Kurt Warnekros, who offers a risky, experimental sex reassignment surgery. Lili undergoes the procedure and begins working in a department store. However, she eventually faces complications from a second surgery and dies, leaving a heartbroken Gerda. The film concludes with Gerda and her friend Hans traveling to a hilltop in Denmark, where they see the landscapes Lili painted, realizing her art was always connected to her true self.
- First release year
- 2015
- Runtime (minutes)
- 120
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Tom Hooper
- Writers
- Lucinda Coxon · writer
- Cast and characters
- Eddie Redmayne · Lili Elbe; Alicia Vikander · Gerda Wegener (née Gottlieb); Matthias Schoenaerts · Hans Axgil (Fernando Porta); Ben Whishaw · Henrik Sandahl (Claude Lejeune); Amber Heard · Ulla Poulsen; Sebastian Koch · Dr. Kurt Warnekros
- Genres
- biographical; romantic drama
- Themes
- gender identity; artistic expression; transgender experience
- Tone and mood
- poignant; dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; historical; LGBTQ+
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff
- Reception
- The film received mixed to positive reviews, with praise for the lead performances and criticism regarding historical accuracy and script choices.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 66% · scale: percentage · review count: 245; Metacritic · score: 66 · scale: 100 · review count: 41
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · win; Academy Award · Best Actor · nomination; Academy Award · Best Production Design · nomination; Academy Award · Best Costume Design · nomination; BAFTA Award · Best British Film · nomination
- Production trivia
- The script was developed over a decade by Lucinda Coxon.; The film's production was completed in 44 days across six countries.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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