THE DANISH GIRL

If you plan on seeing THE DANISH GIRL, a film getting a lot of nominations and critical attention, and deservedly so, I would suggest you see it on the big screen. That way you'll get to experience not just an extraordinary work of film art, but a whole series of cinematic shots that made me feel like I'd not only just seen a great movie but had visited a great museum.

The wide shots are so breathtaking I could easily return to the theater to see the movie again just for them. But every shot, even the two shots and close-ups, is like an extraordinary painting. And the acting is at times breathtaking as well. Eddie Redmayne proves once again he may deserve to be near the top of the list of greatest film actors in the history of the medium, with Brando and Daniel Day Lewis et.al.

The impressive thing for me, as someone who has acted in films and watched the work of others up close, is that Redmayne doesn't so much transform himself physically—his Dutch girl has the same brilliant smile as his Steven Hawkings did—but you could almost say spiritually. He captures the spirit of the character in ways that at times may be physical but more often transcend the physical.

Credit has to go to the director Tom Hooper, and his excellent casting, especially Alicia Vikander who is a revelation and a total match for Redmayne's courageous performance. She plays the artist wife of his character (both based on real people, though the movie takes liberties with some aspects of their story).

Both actors have enough screen charisma to match anyone in film. But go see for yourself, and let me know if you agree. Gotta be on the big screen though to get all the intricacies of the filmmaking and acting artistry.