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Dec 17, 2017Nursebob rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Taken from David Ebershoff’s book, Tom Hooper’s somewhat histrionic biopic of Lili Elvenes who, in 1920’s Denmark, became one of the first transgendered women to undergo reassignment surgery is apparently so full of fabrications and crucial omissions that it may as well be fiction. Eddie Redmayne’s porcelain features and quiet voice are convincingly feminine as he undergoes the transformation from shy Einar to demure Lili and Oscar winner Alicia Vikander’s portrayal of Gerda is a fiery mix of devotion, jealousy, and unrequited love (for some reason her overt lesbianism was glossed over for the big screen). But the idea of battling personalities vying for Wegener’s soul threaten to turn the production into a queer take on "The Three Faces of Eve" (or "The Exorcist" ) and Hooper subjects his audience to a few too many tear-filled confrontations with handwringing and tortured gazes all around. She may not have been the first, but the story of Lili Elvenes (or Lili Elbe in the film) is nevertheless an important chapter in the history of transgendered people. Unfortunately Hooper irons out the complexities of her situation and turns the whole thing into a highly polished period drama with an “inspirational” ending that’s pure treacle.