beautifully shot with good performances

Rating: 7/10 (21 March 2016)

Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne) is a well received Danish painter in the early 20th century. His wife Gerda (Alicia Vikander) is less well received. Gerda uses Einar's feminine side Lili as the subject of her paintings. Gerda starts to gain recognition while Lili starts going out dressed up. It's a struggle for both partners. Eventually, Lili seeks a full sex reassignment surgery.
This is beautifully shot and Redmayne delivers a solid performance. Alicia Vikander is the acting power behind the throne. In the end, the movie lacks drama. Einar never faces insurmountable hurdles. Gerda is utterly supportive. There is limited tension. The plot doesn't have any surprises considering the subject matter. Also I never get the sense of Lili's point of view. It is so far from what most people experiences. More than any other subject, director Tom Hooper needs to put the audience into the shoes of the protagonist. The movie fails to do that. It's still beautiful and the two actors are terrific but it is very much like one of Einar's landscapes. It is expertly made but I don't really feel it.