Earlier this week, "The Today Show" released the worldwide trailer for “The Danish Girl,” staring Alicia Vikander and Eddie Redmayne. The film is based off of David Eberschoff’s book, a semi-fictionalized story about Lili Elbe, the first transgender woman to undergo successful reassignment surgery in the early 20th century. The release date is set for Nov. 27 in select theaters.
The film has recently garnered a storm of controversy over its casting of Eddie Redmayne, a cisgender male, to play the role of a transgender female. To no one’s surprise, the Internet is buzzing with arguments about what Redmayne will bring to the piece, leading to a highly anticipated film premiere.
In a recent interview with Telegraph.co.uk, Redmayne explains he is aware of the controversy and attempts to provide insight into the casting process. He states,
“There is an incredibly valid discussion for why a trans actress isn’t playing the part, because there are so many brilliant trans actresses, and I’m sure there are many who could play this part sensationally [. . .] But one of the complications is that nowadays you have hormones, and many trans women have taken hormones. But to start this part playing male you’d have to come off the hormones.”
Those opposed are not convinced, arguing that the unique perspective a transgender actress would give to the project is far more important than appearance logistics.
Further opposition surfaced after Redmayne’s interview with E! Online when he explained his preparation for the role, stating,
“Even though it is period and under completely different circumstances than today, I'm meeting many women from the trans community and hearing their experiences. I have put on dresses and wigs and makeup. I'm beginning to embark on that and trying to find out who she is.”
Writers such as Kat Callahan from Jezebel.com are worried that Redmayne is aiming in the wrong direction. She writes,
“Binary trans women are not defined by overt marks of culturally defined feminity [. . .] even Elbe who appears from sources to have been pretty overtly femme, are not women because they put on dresses, wigs and makeup. Trans women are women because sociocultural experiences and neurological/biological forces have intertwined organically to create gendered individuals who see their identity at odds with their assignment at birth.”
Though Redmayne’s intentions are good, will the formula for his performance deliver? Or will the piece be a giant misrepresentation of the transgender community?
Nevertheless, there is a portion of people who believe Redmayne’s participation is, in fact, a huge strength in the project. Having just won an Oscar for his performance in “The Theory of Everything,” the actor’s name is sure to bring big box office sales and critical attention. Redmayne could be the key to getting the transgender community’s story out to a large enough audience to generate important, influential conversation, as he did for the ALS community with “The Theory of Everything.”
There is also no doubt that he will treat the job with a great deal of respect. His Telegraph.co.uk interview revealed that he is working with Alexandra Reynolds, the movement director who assisted him in his character development on “The Theory of Everything.” Redmayne has also taken the time to interview transgender women who lived during the 50s and 60s, attempting to reach as far back as possible in order to gain contextual insight. If there is anyone who can take on a complex story and pithy character like Lili, it’s Redmayne. As Michael Arbeiter on Bustle.com writes,
“While perhaps he is not the ideal candidate for a role in “The Danish Girl,” he is at least a strategic one. Actors who play the title role in a biopic are often subject to major criticism, and if he can gain praise for playing a character like Stephen Hawking, then perhaps the public, the critics and the Oscar committee are already on his side.”
Is Redmayne a strength or weakness to “The Danish Girl?” Will his part in the piece be a step forward or backwards for the transgender community? What are your thoughts? For me, I believe only time and performance will tell.
