With no doubt as to Redmayne’s ability to transform and perform, can the script and supporting cast prove his equal?…
We pick up the story with a happily married Gerda (Alicia Vikander) and Einar (Eddie Redmayne). A painter with a keen eye for form and beauty, Einar takes a great interest in the graces of femininity, and slowly this fascination transforms into reality. As the cracks appear in Einar’s persona, Lili appears like a butterfly from a chrysalis. While Einar struggles to cope with this new identity, he must also cope with the perceptions of society at the time, existing mostly in the shadows with a sacred few that care enough to try to understand. Einar evades lobotomies and straightjackets and it is moving to watch knowing so many went through the same thing.
Eddie transformed as Lili
Living the life of the social elite Lili has the freedom to experiment and explore her new identity. This offers perhaps a less brutal journey than might be expected. However, with the focus on the emotional and social aspect of Lili’s transformation it is no less savage, as we witness a life and a marriage torn in two. In the central role, Redmayne yet again adapts his character with the alacrity of a chameleon, setting the balance well between Einar and Lili as he seamlessly merges them into one. While this shift in character is fascinating in itself, Redmayne’s counterpart Vikander is every bit as captivating. Rolling with the emotional punches, this film would not strike so hard a blow if she were not so convincing. As it is we can place ourselves in her shoes and experience the whirlwind of emotion she displays.
Much like the art created by Gerda and Einar, the film flits from one beautiful shot to another. This seems particularly thematic of the movie as it is Lili’s beauty that moves Gerda to succeed in her art, and it is the beauty in the landscape that raised Einar to fame. The contrast of being surrounded by such beauty but feeling so alone is something portrayed with great skill by the actors and through the artwork of Einar.
With most of the audience moved to audible tears throughout the film, it is hard to find faults. It was slow to start, had a suspiciously convenient love interest for Gerda and perhaps a few clichés, but for a difficult topic I think it was pitch perfect for its current audience. Accessible to most while still being a tense watch, there was no unnecessary violence or graphic scenes past what was needed to make a point. Overall I think the film has depth in its creative direction, characters and narrative, it also grants great insight into something not everybody fully understands.
Author – Joe, Bath store.
