The Danish Girl premiered in Venice this weekend. Eddie Redmayne was there with co-star Alicia Vikander and his wife, Hannah Bagshawe. As expected, Eddie’s performance is generating Oscar buzz. Experts are predicting he’ll get another nomination. Some are speculating as to whether he might go 2 for 2 and actually win back-to-back Best Actor trophies. Over in Telluride, however, the Michael Fassbender camp is saying hold up. Because Steve Jobs screened there this weekend and the reviews have been largely positive, both for Aaron Sorkin’s (f-cking Aaron Sorkin!) screenplay and Michael’s performance. “Bold” is the word they’re using for the Jobs movie. “Bold” however is not the word they’re using to describe The Danish Girl. Most of the notable critical assessments for The Danish Girl acknowledge Eddie’s talent but they’re similarly restrained on the film itself. The consensus seems to be that it’s beautiful…but not provocative. Interestingly though, many critics balance that opinion by surmising that, perhaps, that was the intention. That an introductory tone to the film, if it was a university course it might be called Transgender 101, is more suitable to the target audience – like spoonfeed them into opening their minds, instead of shocking them. Some would say that that’s what the Academy needs too.
Wait. What’s that? Do you hear it?
Oh, hey Leo.
Right. Don’t forget about Leo. While Eddie and Michael – and Johnny Depp too – have emerged as early frontrunners for Oscar, everyone’s still reserving an open spot for Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant. You watch figure skating? You know how the judges – even though they deny it – are always leaving room for the champion competitors during the final flight? Especially the last skater in the final flight? That appears to be Leo Susan Lucci.
