A Second-Tier Oscar Film

Rating: 7/10 (9 February 2016)

A semi-fictitious love story loosely inspired by the lives of Danish artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Lili and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili's groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.
As far as Oscar reviews go, this one will be a little bit shorter. The film has four nominations, and it has only a slim chance to win any of them. For Costume Design and Production Design, it seems very unlikely that the film has a chance at all. On the costume, perhaps, because they had to effectively dress am an as a woman. But this seems more like it would have fallen into hair and makeup. I suspect no win here.
I would love to see Best Supporting Actress for Alicia Vikander, especially because she should more properly be seen as the lead actress and not simply a supporting part of the film. In many ways, this is just as much the wife's story as it is the husband's. Vikander dominated, and although I would have to give serious thought to it, she may just have my vote. But this is one of the tougher categories this year, with Jennifer Jason Leigh (Hateful Eight) seen as a likely winner, and Rooney Mara (Carol) probably giving her best performance yet. So my heart is with Vikander, but my head says it is unlikely.
Which leaves Best Actor for Eddie Redmayne. He won last year portraying Stephen Hawking, and he has followed it up with something almost as good. It is one thing to put on makeup and a dress. Anyone can do that. But he transforms himself completely into Lili, and has a character that is bursting with emotion and a possible mental instability. (This may give the wrong impression for transgender people, but Lili is portrayed less as a woman inside a man and more as a split personality.)
Redmayne would love to win back-to-back, and in many years this would be quite possible. But all the buzz says Leonardo DiCaprio is walking away with the award for his role in "Revenant". Personally, I believe Redmayne put more of himself into his role than DiCaprio did. But I do not expect the forward momentum to change... this is "Leo's year", and when the awards get announced, expect him to be the one with the statue, not Eddie.