As soon as the description came out for The Danish Girl, there was already awards buzz. It didn’t hurt that this was the first thing Eddie Redmayne decided to film after he won his Oscar earlier this year. It also doesn’t hurt that 2015 has been called “the transgender tipping point,” as in this is the year that transgender people and transgender politics/issues became a major conversation. So my question is… will Eddie Redmayne do a two-fer? Will he win his second Oscar the year after he won his first?
The Danish Girl stars Eddie as Einar Wegener and then Lili Elbe, a Danish artist married to another Danish artist, Gerda Wegener (played by Alicia Vikander). The film also has supporting roles filled by Ben Whishaw (God I love Ben Whishaw), Matthias Schoenaerts (hottie) and Amber Heard (sad clown noise). The film was directed by Tom Hooper, who won an Oscar for The King’s Speech. Here’s the first trailer:
I feel like the trailer gives away too much of the story. But… that being said, I’m sure there’s some sort of complicated rationale behind that. Like, producers don’t want to “surprise” the audience with what the film is about and audiences should see the film not so much to see how the story plays out, but the way the actors perform the story. So, what do you think? I think for sure Eddie is going to get another Oscar nomination. Whether he wins again… I don’t know. But just in the trailer, he’s heartbreaking and real and wonderful. He “pops”. I know we’re supposed to think that Alicia Vikander is equally stunning but I don’t know. I only really cared about Lili in this trailer.
The Danish Girl will premiere at the Venice Film Festival and then TIFF in the coming weeks. Both are seen as harbingers for the awards season, so it will be interesting to see how the film is received on the festival circuit.
Posters, stills courtesy of Focus Features.
I don’t think anyone has won back to back since Tom Hanks.
I think one’ll have to go back to the 1930s to find the other instance of back-to-back Best Actor wins. Eddie looks like a shoe-in for a nomination but winning would be far more difficult, considering he just won last season and the rarity of consecutive wins. That said he does have undoubtedly the baitiest Lead Actor role this season, and I think he would finesse it very well.
The trailer looks good; outstanding production values and some really gorgeous shots. I don’t think it spoiled too much; the story is fairly straightforward. It is more of an actor’s vehicle which explores the depth of the characters’ predicament than a movie with plot twists and such.
Unless the film completely tanks or there’s a huge public outcry against the film for not being a sensitive portrayal/not casting a transgender actor, he’s guaranteed a nomination, though he’s probably not going to win because it’s virtually unheard of. The nomination will be seen as his reward.
Lainey had a good article about him yesterday- he’s a great actor, but completely unsubtle. He’s great at these physical transformation roles where he has to really portray someone full-bodied, but I can’t imagine him in a gritty, present day little indie drama, can you?
Watch Savage Grace. Don’t know about gritty, but he was simply sensational in that film. And no transformation to speak of. Unsubtle? No way Jose.
Birdsong, though. Two-parter series, of which he spends half the time not speaking at all, and no physical transformation to speak of. I thought he was terrific in that. And his chemistry with Clemence Poesy was phenomenal.
(of course, it is a period piece set partly during WWI, so…)
I never understood the outcry over not choosing a gay actor to play a gay character, or choosing a trans actor to play a trans role. That’s the whole point of ACTING- playing a part that may or may not be exactly the opposite or at least different from who the actor is as a person. We don’t require astronauts to play astronauts, writers to play writers, nice people to play nice characters, alcoholics to play alcoholics. A trans actor should be able to get any role, gay, straight, trans, male, female, whatever. Same as any other actor. Any actor should have equal opportunity to play a trans character, if they get the job. Eddie is a great choice.
Yep, Tom Hanks is the last one to do so.
Great guess @Beth!! Spencer Tracy won back-to-back in 1937 and 1938. (A real arse guy but a good actor nonetheless.)
Ah, I wish Celebitchy would post more vintage scandal stuff. 🙂
😀
See, Tom’s roles were so different. I feel Eddie excels in those physical transformation roles, but really cannot capture the essence of a character.
He has some gorgeous lips! First time I’ve ever found him attractive.
I think this role was a great choice for him. Very compelling.
Eddie looks gorgeous. Go on with your bad self…girl power!
Definitely Oscar nomination material.
I love him as an actor, he stands out in every role he does, even his early small roles.
The first thing I thought when I saw this was “Wow, he makes a very pretty woman.”
Same. Had my own little “wow” here.
Me too! And for some reason I found him more attractive as a man (I’m usually pretty ambivalent towards Redmayne). The trailer made me weepy. I wish him good things.
He does, doesn’t he?
He looks so pretty. I couldn’t really tell who he remined me of. Now I think Lili looks like a beautiful mixture of Kristin Scott Thomas and Meret Becker.
I think he looks like a mix between Jessica Chastain and Kelly Reilly. 😀
He bares a slight resemblance to Toni Collete.
I thought it was Jessica Chastain at first. I actually think he looks better this way imo.
Thought it was Chastain too before Zi read the headline
Chastain like def. Hes so pretty here. He’s prettier than the actress playing his wife.
He does look prettier to me as a woman, I think it helps that he’s got lipstick on. I know this sounds superficial, but when I see him in movies, I always end up staring uncontrollably at his mouth – there is something both terrifying and mesmerizing about it. Eddie is sweet and talented though and I am really feeling his scenes with Alicia.
I agree with you that he looks better as a woman and the reason why.
I have always found his mouth mesmerizing and find it the reason I like looking at him. Am happy to finally see it lipsticked.
My thoughts exactly. Eddie’s lips usually revolt me, but with lipstick on, they’re utterly gorgeous.
… And then I thought, Alicia’s supposed to be the next big thing and so gorgeous in motion, but Eddie AS LILY was so much more striking and gorgeous and interesting to look at. Alicia just faded into the background next to him as Lily…
I want to see it. Eddie Redmayne looks like he’ll be quite compelling as LIli. I think Alicia’ll hold her own in her scenes as well.
I am going to see this at TIFF. Really looking forward to it now that I have seen the trailer.
I’m looking forward to seeing this as well. The trailer wasn’t as cheesy as TToE and I’m expecting the screenplay and performances to be good. He looks convincing as a woman. He reminded me of Chastain.
I’m looking forward to it as well. Eddie is really coming into his own on the acting front and this trailer had me WOW.
I’ll be seeing it at TIFF as well and I’m really excited about it
Whether he wins again…I think he’s on the early short list for sure. Depends on the rest of the field
Me too! Love Eddie Redmayne since “My Week with Marilyn” and “Birdsong” on the BBC. He is a fantastic actor and I hope he does win. Can’t wait to see this movie, though I agree the trailer was TOO LONG!
The trailer looks amazing and i think he should at least get another nom. Alicia came across well – this could be her big break out role (thou sadly there is something about her that annoys me – can’t really put my finger on it).
And yes he looks great as a woman – he and Ben Wishaw are a really cute couple 😉
Ben! Another underrated actor lost.
I think Ben Whishaw is exactly where he wants to be. He does a lot of stage work in London (he was wonderful in Bakkhai) and I don’t think he has any interest in being a Hollywood leading man. I think he’ll pop up doing character work for a long time to come.
Ben Whishaw has said quite clearly that he hates LA and that he doesn’t work for money but because he likes what he does. He’s a lovely, lovely man. I have seen him this summer in Bakkhai and he was hugging (literally) fans outside the theatre and signing whatever they wanted him to sign. I hope he stays as he is. And he’s a magical actor. His Hamlet made me cry buckets. It was embarrassing (for me) tbh 🙂 🙂
@hermia
Did you catch his Hamlet live or did you manage to watch it online? If the latter can you tell us how? I’ve been wanting to catch it for ages. As far as I know it’s not part of the NTLive screenings?
Neither. It’s at the V&A archives in London. I was crying like an idiot in front of a screen 🙂 🙂
I just wish there were more recordings of the theater performances out there. I usually watch most I can get my hands on. But most of it is not recorded.
And it is such a loss! To have a play about which people talk for years and not have ability to watch it, and have this performance lost forever. It is just unforgivable.
I agree with you EN. If I had a Tardis, I would go back in time to watch all the plays I have missed. I have a long list 🙂
At the same time though, it is the very essence of theatre, its immediacy and impermanence.
@hermia
Thanks!
Couldn’t agree more, Beth No. 2, EN & hermia.
(Also: Don’t know if everyone already knows this or not, but Lincoln Center has an absolutely incredible archive of performances which you can view if you arrange ahead of time. Before I lived in NYC and was traveling there on a budget, I would go there to watch a couple as ‘the shows I caught when I was in the city.’)
I was very lucky to see his performance live at the Old Vic many years ago – he was sublime. He’s one of those rare very subtle performers that keeps you transfixed.
Am looking forward to seeing Bendy’s Hamlet pushing 40 but i suspect his performance won’t match up to Ben’s.
Have you seen him in the Hollow Crown series?
Yes! Whishaw was magnificent as Richard II. He managed to be thoroughly feckless, vainglorious, and still cut a sympathetic figure.
Whishaw is like 50/50 for me, good half the time. Case in point, he was too far over the top just one too many times as Richard II.
Poor Leo. He’s about to lose again. And no amount of blonde clones in their 20s will be able to soothe his pain.
What’s Leo meant to be nominated for? Is it The Revenent? I saw the trailer for that at the cinema the other day and I was already beginning to doze off.
It may be just the trailer, but Eddie looks like he’s put in a wonderfully touching performance.
Will definitely be seeing this.
Yes.
The film is based on a true story and the director is Alejandro Inarritu.
I loved Birdman ( Babel not so much) and the film is supposed to be good. Oscar good. For Leo as well. But I don’t see him winning against Eddie Redmayne. The Academy seems to love him and he’s pulling off another great and controversial role.
I want to see the movie but no way LD should win.
He reminds me of Tom Cruise when Oscar buzz would start. They basically make the same repetitive performances.
The only part he was amazing in was Total Eclipse then the Hollywood system got a hold of him.
Leo was pretty compelling and convincing in Gilbert Grape.
@Amy Tennant: I thought he was just magical and pitch-perfect in Gilbert G. It’s none of my beeswax, of course, but I’ve always wondered what – if anything – happened to change the trajectory of his artistic career from such a promising performance.
He was AMAZING in Gilbert Grape. I don’t get why he doesn’t take on more interesting roles. I haven’t seen J Edgar yet, but I feel like he plays close to type for most of his movies. They’re are definitely people who feel he plays a certain role really well and that he has limited range, but Gilbert Grape really showed he has the chops to go very far outside his comfort zone. He’s a big name, servicable actor, can bring in the bucks, but I just see Leo playing the role now and his desperation for an award. I wish he would take more risks, but he plays it very safe imo.
I also can’t stand the guy and I really dislike his fanboys. They’re nuts.
Oh my goodness I love Eddie and I cannot wait for this movie! I may be just as excited for it as I am for the new Star Wars.
I think the trailer is very compelling. However, I will say that I thought The Kings Speech was overrated and I couldn’t even get through Les Miserables (and I love musicals), so this director is not one of my favs.
Does anyone else think that ER as Lili, looks an awful lot like Jessica Chastain?
I totally agree Mrs. B!!!!! Beyond the actual story (which is interesting, and I liked the idea of a man being so vulnerable…and well, not “manly”)…..I didn’t really find the movie GREAT. Like whenever I see a movie that’s nominated for an Oscar, for Best Picture, I want the movie to be AMAZING. To knock your socks off. Except for “Birdman” and “12 Years A Slave”….I haven’t been that excited about films…performances, yes. Like I didn’t think “The Theory of Everything” was anything but a nice love story with good performances……..
For “The Danish Girl”…I’m thinking it’s going to be the same. Great performances, good/okay movie.
I was really bummed that Michael Keaton didn’t win best actor at the Oscars…I loved Birdman and thought MK was amazing! The Oscars love movies about real people though!
Well, art is subjective isn’t it? I dozed off during Birdman and consider 12 Years A Slave extremely overrated and repetitive. Loved The King ‘s Speech in its subtlety and dark elegance. That’s the good thing about art – variety.
@Mary-Alice
I’m not saying art isn’t subjective. All I’m saying is that for the past few years, I haven’t really considered the majority of Best Picture nominations or wins to be deserved, because I consider them to be decent films with amazing performances. This comment was related to “The Danish Girl”, because it looks like that’s what the movie is going to be. A decent/good film, with AMAZING performances. To ME. My comment wasn’t a blanket statement over everyone else’s. It’s how I feel.
@Mary-Alice Bless you woman! I thought Birdman was a heap of self-congratulatory twaddle and that 12Years a Slave was overrated and bloated; both film were only saved by some great performances (and for me Edward Norton was better than Michael Keaton).
Eddie Redmayne is a very good actor and here he may be at his best. He seems very compelling as a woman. Maybe he will surpass his great turn in Savage Grace. Fingers crossed.
> Bless you woman! I thought Birdman was a heap of self-congratulatory twaddle
Ha-ha. “Birdman” actually made me nostalgic. It looked like one of Tarkovsky’s movies. Or one those small independent European movies you would see in art houses. The angles, the slow downs, the whole environment, the mood, the characters, everything.
In short, I loved “Birdman” because it was an true piece of art, even if it was self-congratulatory twaddle.
Our perception and how we relate does depend on our background quite a bit.
Maybe because I am European and see a lot of really good European indie movies, Birdman seems mere navel gazing to me. Like The Great Beauty, but without Rome 🙂
Birdman was insufferable and “self-congratulatory twaddle” is a good way to put it. I’d give it props though, for being a more interesting and original Best Picture winner than most. The worst Oscar movies are those like The Imitation Game and The Theory of Everything, which are formulaic and uninspired. I did find Eddie very good in his Hawking role, but that movie was awful.
My favourite movies from last year were Snowpiercer, Mr Turner, Under the Skin and Whiplash, and I’m sure there’d be people out there who would find these insufferable too hah.
I loved Under The Skin and also found Only Lovers Left Alive a gem. I think The Theory of Everything was a better film than the Imitation Game. At least the former was clearly only about the character’s personal life, while the latter pretended to be about the man and the scientist, but it was only a paint-by-numbers affair with a bland script.
I would have given the Oscar to Wes Anderson though because I love him to distraction 🙂
I really hated Birdman and felt like a weirdo for that after it won a bunch of awards.
He looks like Jessica Chastain!
Anybody know if it is based on a book?
Yes, it is based on a book “The Danish Girl” by David Ebershoff.
…which is based on the true story of Lili Elbe (fka Einar Wegener)
@Guest21
No. From the Author’s Note in the book:
“This is a work of fiction loosely inspired by the case of Einar Wegener and his wife. I wrote the novel through conjecture and speculation and the running of imagination. Some important facts about Einar’s actual transformation lie in these pages, but the story, as recounted here with its details of place and time and language and interior life, is an invention of my imagination… I have changed so many elements of Einar Wegener’s story that the characters in these pages are entirely fictional. The reader should not look to this novel for the many biographical details of Einar Wegener’s life, and no other character in the novel has any relation to an actual person, living or dead.”
@Emma
My bad, though it is still somewhat based on the life of the real Lili Elbe. The names are the same (her and her wife), and if you read factual sources about her, this fictional piece is not that far off.
She did in fact model for her wife and start her realization at that point. The other relationships however are completely made up.
It looks amazing, I got so emotional just from watching the trailer. But PLEASE Academy, don’t give him another Oscar. This has got to be Leo’s year!
I feel for transgender people in terms of social prejudice and the challenges of transformation they have to overcome, but this story looks so boring to me. But I will see it for Matthias (my favourite actor ever), and I do like Alicia (going against the grain here, I know). I think Matthias and Eddie have a kissing scene. I haven’t seen him in his Oscar winning and acclaimed roles, but Eddie lacks charisma for me, as much as that matters in terms of delivering a quality performance. So I hope Leo wins. I think he’s had a longer run than Eddie and has had quite a few Oscars stolen from him.
I feel same about Eddie, also feel they should have at least attempted to cast a transwoman first.
This looks like Oscar bait. Pretty package but lacking any substance. Vikander stands out in the trailer surprisingly though.
I was about to say that they should have cast a trans woman, but I wonder how uncomfortable she would be in pre-transition scenes. That could be harrowing. Not that that is a reason not to cast her. OITNB hit pay dirt with Laverne Cox’s brother
I was thinking along the same lines as you Amy … what trans woman would/could play both Einar and Lili? It’s not just the practical difficulty of passing as male, it’s the mental/emotional toil of taking on that role in the first place.
I was thinking that perhaps an intersex or gender fluid actor would’ve been better than a cis male, but those are even smaller populations than the trans population. I don’t watch OITNB, (I’ve heard of Cox, but had no idea she had a twin brother) so it totally didn’t occur to me to cast siblings. But I suppose that’d be an extremely small casting pool too.
Yes, that was really lucky; the producers didn’t even know she had a brother when they cast her. Intersex, genderfluid, genderqueer, agender would all be fine. Actually I think it probably wouldn’t be too much trouble to use makeup to make a trans actress look like the opposite gender, but I’m just thinking how painful that might be after working so hard finally to get to live as your true self.
Alicia Vikander impressed me more than Eddie in the trailer.
Agree, I was more impressed with Alicia.
Me too. I’m honestly impressed with the trailer in general. I wasn’t gonna see it….because I’m just not a Redmayne fan, but this trailer convinced me. It looks beautifully shot.
I think William Hurt did a back to back in the 80’s. I found his sensibility really touching. I am in to see the movie, but agree maybe showed too much. Perhaps being a true story everybody can google the outcome of the story.
“Kiss of the Superwoman” was a wonderful movie. I miss Raul Julia so much.
Same here. I miss William Hurt too. He sort of disappeared and he was an AMAZING actor. I think it’s KIss of the Spiderwoman 🙂
That looks very good, but I agree that I feel like I just saw most of the movie.
I am sure Eddie will be nominated, but whether he wins or not depends on who else is nominated too.
I guess it’s going to be something like this:
1) Fassy for Steve Jobs
2) MAYBE Jake Gyllenhaal for Southpaw – but it will hurt his chances that the movie was incredibly formulaic. I think that Ben Foster for The Program might be the Dark Horse here. Also, don’t count O’Shea Jackson, Jr. (Straight Outta Compton) out.
3) Tom Hanks for Bridge of Spies
4) Johnny Depp for Black Mass
5) Leo for The Revenant
I’d say that Eddie would most likely either kick out the 2nd or the 3rd on the list. If all the ‘heavyweights’ would end up being nominated, it would make for an interesting and tight race, which I can see going in more than 2 directions.
How about Fassy for Macbeth?
I feel that between Macbeth and Steve Jobs, the latter will be the more Oscar-baity. Macbeth will probably get lots of nominations in the technical department, but they will push Fassy for the higher-profile movie.
Also, if Idris will be in the category too, for Beasts of No Nation, I will be flabbergasted. With Idris, Leo, Johnny, Eddie and Fassy, I would have a hard time figuring out who to root for.
Idris is supporting, I think.
Macbeth is unlikely to happen for Fassy, as Harvey seems disinterested to give it a campaign push. Carol is his horse this year, and then maybe Hateful Eight.
Tom Hooper directed this? Does this mean we’re in for two hours of extreme close-ups?
That was my favorite joke reference NPH landed at the Tonys 🙂
At last an original theme and not the regurgitated crap the film industry loves to churn out.
The performances do look amazing. I agree ER looks like Jessica Chastain! LOVE Matthias! 🙂 And actually Alisha’s acting looks great here. I bet she’ll get award noms for this. My only comment about her is always that she looks like she’s about 12, but she does seem to be a very talented rising actress.
Alicia looks like the real Gerda, at least based on Gerda’s Wilipedia photo.
Well, two Oscar nominations in one year then- let’s not forget about his incredible performance in Jupiter Ascending. lol
This whole movie is outstanding. Eddie Redmayne, although I want Johnny Depp to win the Oscar next year but it looks as though Eddie will win again. and I have nothing but fond word for Alicia Vikander, she is a very good actress and I wish her the best. Now if she could just, get rid of the Louis Vitton dress and wear something else, and Alicia I am only sayimg this in the highest of regard but dump Michael Fassbender, you don’t need him.
When I first saw the still, I thought he was a woman and at first, I thought it was Jessica Chastain. He is very pretty as a woman and the trailer is very compelling. He was brilliant in the trailer. I will be seeing this one.
Really looking forward to this
Another good LGBT movie I am excited about is “About Ray” , the one with Elle Fanning, Susan Sarandon and Naomi Watts in it. I don’t remember when it’ll be out, but I actually hope it’ll create some buzz and maybe some nominations.
I’m still bitter that he beat Michael Keaton, who I thought was far more deserving, and I’m annoyed that Oscars are automatically doled out to whoever played a real-life person in some overwrought biopic, as though skilled mimicry is more worthy than imaginative character portrayal, BUT all that being said (or ranted), he looks impressive in this.
Absolutely, it seems like every year its 4 biopics and one actor playing an original character.
I thought his portrayal of Stephen Hawking was incredible.
Oooh, I teared up there at the end.
But damn, Ben Whishaw…gosh I love that man.
*Bleurgh* sick of straight cisgender males playing in the transgender dress up box.
This movie just looks so basic to me.
And too many violins! Jaysus.
I can understand your frustration. But the role calls for someone who is very talented, with a great screen presence and the ability to transform himself convincingly into a woman. All of movies is pretending anyway when you think about it. If this is as sensitively done as it appears to be, I can only think it will be a good thing for the transgender community. This is my humble opinion of course.
“the role calls for someone who is very talented, with a great screen presence and the ability to transform himself convincingly into a woman”
Are they’re not transgender actors capable of doing the same?
I’m puzzled how you think this is good for the trans community. Not only do trans actors struggle to find “regular” roles but they’re being shut out of roles about trans people themselves.
> Are they’re not transgender actors capable of doing the same?
Are there? If you could provide some names we could discuss. I don’t know anyone.
I agree with EN. If you have some names to through out that would be great. 🙂
For a man I personally don’t find attractive at all, he makes a truly gorgeous woman.
I hope Eddie does well. He seems very humble and passionate about his work, and has talent to spare. Something lacking in Hollywood nowadays.
I was thinking the exact same thing.
I guess I’m alone here but I hate Eddie Redmayne, I though Theory of Everything was terrible and he crossed way over the simple Jack line. He was also downright horrific in Jupiter Ascending, which is saying something. Aside from all the usual problematic issues that come with a cis actor playing trans, he looks irritating as usual in this.
Surprisingly I was prepared to hate Jupiter but didn’t. It was at the same level as the rest of the action nonsense. No worse than Thor or Avengers. Eddie was OK, his part is not that big.
Absolutely abhorred TOE, what a whiny and sloppy piece of nothing. I didn’t care for any of the characters either. Eddie was OK, I guess, I just didn’t like his character and the whole movie was just yuck.
I don’t care much for him either. I thought his performance is TOE was gimmicky. I would have given the Oscar to Micheal Keaton.
Take this Oscar!
Just take it, here, go on. Fine, fine it’s yours.
I don’t even need to see this movie lol
This movie looks beautiful across the board, can’t wait to see it.
I think he will definitely be nominated. The movie has an excellent cast not just Eddie and hits all the right Oscar notes. As for winning twice in a row – no way.
Eddie is a Brit. Academy will be eaten alive if they give one of most prestigious Oscars to a Brit,2 years in a row, and the same Brit at that.
Eddie is good but now that good.
As for the trailer itself. Here are my impressions .
I didn’t care for Alicia there. I like her but she doesn’t seem to have chemistry with Eddie. None.
Loved Eddie as a man longing to be a woman. Eddie is really good at projecting longing and internal turmoil.
I didn’t like the parts were he actually was a woman. I don’t know. They weren’t convincing to me. Definitely not as good as the parts where he was a man. His voice is also very wrong for a woman. It gives him away,
The movie itself (based on the trailer) has a feel of a theater, or maybe just a more European feel. Not polished enough. I am not sure it is good or bad, the lack of polish might be considered more authentic and artistic.
I don’t think the Academy is in any danger if a Brit wins 2 years in a row. Actually 3 Brits already won sucessive years:Day-Lewis, Irons, Hopkins. And the institution didn’t crumble.
Closer to us, 3 years in a row with foreign winners (Firth, Dujardin and again Day-Lewis) and I don’t remember the lack of US winner being an issue.
> I don’t remember the lack of US winner being an issue.
After the Oscars there were quite a few articles lamenting the lack of American talent. Yes, it is an issue. Middle America can get resentful and proclaim the Oscars irrelevant and the liberal nonsense. There were the rambling of that already.
It is somewhat similar to the constant British lament of having too many posh actors. Even though it is not necessarily true.
Perception is reality.
I think middle America declared the Oscars irrelevant ages ago. Haven’t the ratings for the ceremony itself have been dismal (and getting worse) for years? And I’m not sure people flock to the theaters to see the films that are nominated. The only time I can recall the televised awards show doing well in the ratings is when actual blockbusters were nominated and/or won – Titanic and Return of the King are the ones that come to mind.
I doubt the Academy is really all that concerned with appealing to the masses anyway, and TBH I don’t think they should be. Their mission should be to reward innovation and artistic vision, recognizing films and professionals that might be pushing the envelope too much for your average movie-goer at the time, but whose influence might be seen for years to come. A film doing well at the box office is its own reward, it doesn’t need awards to ensure the people involved will continue working or other films just like will get made.
Not gonna lie, when I watched the trailer I wanted more! I think ER is a fantastic actor, not sure about Amber, but Alicia can definitely pull her weight with dramas so I am anticipating how the movie will actually play out
tired of them telling trans stories and using them to make a profit and seem socially aware, all while excluding actual trans people from being able to tell their own stories. this movie, stonewall, and the elle fanning movie all do a lovely job of using straight cis actors to to tell trans stories.
Which Stonewall? The one out this year or the 1995 one with Guillermo Díaz as La Miranda? I loved that film. I don’t think many saw it but I have the DVD and watch it at least 2-3 times a year. It is one of my favourite films. So good. I do understand what you’re saying but Hollywood is a long way from being brave enough to do this. Look at the amount of gay roles played by straight actors.
This complaint comes up over and over. Not just with trans people, but also gays, minorities, certain professions, certain ethnic groups.
But trans community is very small. How many of them are trained actors of a world caliber? None, probably.
Not everybody can simply develop acting skills or on-screen presence. Acting is a very difficult and competitive profession.
If they cast a trans actor and the movie tanked because of the lack of skills and difficulty with promotion, wouldn’t it be a disservice to everyone?
People act like there is no business and monetary reality in film-making. Movies can be passion projects, but they also need to be commercially viable most of the time, i.e. put bums in seats. Nicole Kidman was actually attached to The Danish Girl for a long time but she eventually bowed out because she couldn’t secure enough financing for the film to be made. Sure, casting a real trans actress would be a very credible step indeed, but I struggle to think of a single trans actress who could have gotten the project greenlighted in the first place.
So far of the interviews I’ve read concerning the movie, nothing has suggested that the film-makers are treating the subject of transgenderism lightly. They in fact come across as being sensitive to the material. IMO it is better for these stories to be told, even with cis actors, than for these films not to be made at all. These are the kinds of films with potential mainstream appeal that can help raise awareness of the issue.
Also, actors ACT. Stop the presses, I guess.
I agree.
Plus, I would rather see more trans actors in general and not just limited to trans roles.
Maybe I am alone but I think the trailer was awful. I haven’t read the book and I hope there is more to the story because I feel I just saw the entire film complete with an irritating score. This sort of film is usually right up my alley and should be something I would enjoy, but I fear I have just watched it and seen every good bit. I hope I am wrong and it blows me away and I don’t walk out of the cinema saying “meh, saw the film already, all be it in 2 minutes”
You are not alone. I feel the same. Eddie is a fine actor but I don’t think he deserves another Oscar. My God, how about other actors who have proven their talent over the years??
Leo, Johnny Depp, Fassbender. Please, don’t let it happen, Academy. One Oscar is enough for Eddie.
Also, oh my god I can’t stand Vikander. I’ve tried several times but she is so annoying to my eyes. She spoils this film even more, for me. Iit girl” my ass. She’s not that talented. She’s average.
As for Ben Whishaw, he’s a gem. He deserves everything!!!
Matthias Shoenaerts aka sex on legs
Trailer looks great, can hardly wait to see the movie, and I rarely watch award bait drama. I love Eddie so maybe I am biased but I think he’ll do a great job in this.
Eddie Redmayne makes a striking, gorgeous woman. Yes, there’s a resemblance to Jessica Chastain. But when I first saw the picture, I had no idea who it was.
I’m going to have to watch this and Suffragette on the same day because I’m going to be doing a lot of ugly crying during both of these films.
This looks sooo good and I love this time period for movies.
I am def going to see this, when does it come out 5 yrs from now?
seems like the wait for good movies is so long.
thx for posting this, I love his work!
This site doesn’t often make me laugh, but I lost it at “(sad clown noise)” and got the side-eye of judgment from my boss. Poor Amber Heard. HAHAHA
I’m excited for this movie! I think it’ll probably make me depressed and cry into my ICEE, but I still plan on watching it because I enjoy a good period film and the story sounds fascinating. Plus, Redmayne is talented and makes a surprisingly lovely lady.
nominated? for sure. To win? Not so sure. To win again he should be oustanding, even better than in the theory of everything and in this trailer he doesn’t look as exceptional i have to say (i think Alicia Vikander looks better than him)
The Academy would never give a second Oscar in a row, the same honor that a truly american icon, Tom Hanks have to a british without being truly amazing and I’m not sure Eddie could top what he did the past year with this movie
Its based off a true story, so in terms of it “giving away too much”, you can easily find out from a google search.
Wow, that looks like a really beautiful film. And I agree, Eddie makes a very pretty woman (great bone structure, great mouth, and a long neck). I’m definitely looking forward to seeing this.
I’m sure he’s good in this but I just don’t care for Eddie Redmayne. I saw him at a couple of events last year during awards season and I’ll take Benedict Cumberbatch over him any day. Can’t put my finger on it but Redmayne doesn’t seem genuine to me. He’s a professional charmer ie charms the ‘important’ people or turns it on when there are cameras about. Doesn’t make him a bad person, just not someone I root for. Keaton was robbed last year, imo.
Hope Vikander gets noms.
I’m more impress with Vikander. She seems to be really good on this film. Eddie’s physical transformation is awesome but I’m not really feeling the role, although it has everything that the Academy loves so…
I’ve seen several trans activists being extremely disapponted with the trailer. Some are even suggesting a boycott after seeing it.