Very few films would I say are pretty much perfect. But this one is. I don't want to belabor all of the extraordinary aspects of the film, so I'll mention what I think are the salient ones.
For anyone interested in understanding viscerally what it means emotionally to be transgender, this film provides an extraordinary pathway. The process of Lili's awakening realization that she is transgender is, simply, how it happens. From a touch, to an interest, to an attraction, to a gravitational pull and then compulsion borne from the powerful force of Lili's authentic self exploding from her unconscious to the surface.
The tidal waves that this unleashes are extraordinarily accurately portrayed. From the creative block this causes in Lili's painting, to the tension and near-destruction of her marriage, to destructive social forces: thug violence, the law that would incarcerate her, medicine that pathologizes her, all of these are frighteningly accurate and are still ever-present today.
Probably the most profound aspect of the film is the love that evolves and deepens between Lili and Lili's wife, Gerda, not just in spite of, but because of her recognition of Lili's need to transition. Most spouses abandon their transgender loved ones when they come-out or transition. Gerda doesn't and this enables them both to discover and create a love that is beyond what most of us will ever experience.
I could go on about the virtually perfect performances, story structure, character development, cinematography and direction, but you just have to see the film because no words do it justice. I don't think I've ever been brought to tears during most of a film. But this one did. If you see it, you'll never be the same.
For anyone interested in understanding viscerally what it means emotionally to be transgender, this film provides an extraordinary pathway. The process of Lili's awakening realization that she is transgender is, simply, how it happens. From a touch, to an interest, to an attraction, to a gravitational pull and then compulsion borne from the powerful force of Lili's authentic self exploding from her unconscious to the surface.
The tidal waves that this unleashes are extraordinarily accurately portrayed. From the creative block this causes in Lili's painting, to the tension and near-destruction of her marriage, to destructive social forces: thug violence, the law that would incarcerate her, medicine that pathologizes her, all of these are frighteningly accurate and are still ever-present today.
Probably the most profound aspect of the film is the love that evolves and deepens between Lili and Lili's wife, Gerda, not just in spite of, but because of her recognition of Lili's need to transition. Most spouses abandon their transgender loved ones when they come-out or transition. Gerda doesn't and this enables them both to discover and create a love that is beyond what most of us will ever experience.
I could go on about the virtually perfect performances, story structure, character development, cinematography and direction, but you just have to see the film because no words do it justice. I don't think I've ever been brought to tears during most of a film. But this one did. If you see it, you'll never be the same.