The Danish Girl Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Danish Girl" by Universal is a commendable reference for high-definition transfers. Featuring a 1.85:1 1080p transfer, the video quality is strikingly cinematic, with robust coloration and incredible clarity throughout. The cooler color palette complements the film's period setting and emotional tone, while primary colors remain vivid and flesh tones are accurate, albeit slightly pale by design. Black levels are inky and consistent, offering exceptional shadow details that lend a sense of depth to every scene.

The meticulous attention to fine details is evident. Intricate production design elements such as lacy fabric textures, worn wooden floors, and finely painted surfaces are rendered with remarkable precision. The digital source may lack the granular texture of film but compensates with its sharpness and clarity, providing an immersive viewing experience. Makeup details, such as Lili's standout red lipstick, alongside various solitary and blended paint hues, add to the visual richness.

Moreover, the transfer is free from compression artifacts and other unsightly image disturbances, ensuring a smooth and pristine viewing experience. While the Blu-ray does not achieve the intimate detail levels seen in 2160p UHD presentations, it excels in maximizing its 1080p resolution capabilities. From the sumptuous interior designs to the vivid exterior shots, this presentation underscores Universal's expertise in Blu-ray mastering, making it a standout release for both collectors and cinephiles alike.

The audio presentation of "The Danish Girl" on Blu Ray is a commendable example of high-quality sound engineering by Universal. Featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, the mix is immersive and engaging, making superb use of its dialogue-driven framework. Despite its minimalistic approach, the track successfully fills the auditory space, ensuring a dynamic yet calm experience. Dialogue remains rich in definition and naturally centered, with excellent prioritization that prevents any loss in clarity, even during Eddie Redmayne’s whispered lines. The audio remains consistently clear, maintaining a balance that negates the need for frequent volume adjustments.

Music plays a vital role in enriching the auditory experience, particularly notable for its almost airy spacing and perfectly balanced surround support. Alexandre Desplat's score seamlessly integrates into the mix, providing depth and enhancing thematic elements without overpowering other sound elements. Ambient effects are meticulously crafted to transform listening environments into the film’s varied settings—whether it’s the subtle hushed whispers and laughter at an art exhibit or the nuanced outdoor sounds of seagulls and bicycles. The low end is smooth and supportive, adding richness without becoming intrusive. Overall, the sound mix offers excellent dimensionality and atmospheric presence, making it an exemplary audio presentation.

The Blu-ray edition of "The Danish Girl" provides a single, but well-crafted, supplement. The highlight is The Making of 'The Danish Girl' (in HD), an 11:29-minute feature that explores various dimensions of the film including the real story behind it, insights from Director Tom Hooper on his connection to the script, casting choices, and the actors' perspectives on the production. It delves into the intricacies of recreating the historical era, from costumes and makeup to shooting on location in Copenhagen. Eddie Redmayne’s performance and the film's significance to the transgender community are also highlighted. Additionally, the disc includes vouchers for both Ultraviolet and iTunes digital copies.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of 'The Danish Girl': Insights from cast and crew on various aspects of production.
• Ultraviolet Digital Copy: Digital access voucher.
• iTunes Digital Copy: Digital access voucher.

"The Danish Girl," directed by Tom Hooper, is a historical biopic inspired by the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first known individuals to undergo gender reassignment surgery. The film stars Eddie Redmayne as Einar Wegener/Lili Elbe and Alicia Vikander as Gerda Wegener, his supportive wife. The narrative begins innocuously, with Gerda asking Einar to pose as a female model for one of her paintings. This experience triggers Einar's realization of his true identity as a woman, leading to a profound internal and external transformation. The movie effectively blends humor and serious drama, easing the audience into the more complex emotional and physical aspects of Einar's journey towards becoming Lili.

Hooper's direction, while occasionally heavy-handed, captures the era's ambiance through beautiful cinematography and meticulously crafted frames. He adeptly balances the humorous and dramatic elements, preventing the film from becoming overly didactic or politically charged. Redmayne's portrayal of Einar/Lili is notable for its physical and emotional range, while Vikander's performance as Gerda provides a deeply empathetic perspective, embodying the viewer's journey of understanding and acceptance. However, despite these strong performances, the film struggles to delve into the deeper emotional complexities of its characters.

The Danish Girl is a fictionalized adaptation of David Ebershoff's novel, diverging significantly from the true story of Lili Elbe. This includes altered character relationships and omitted historical facts, which some viewers might find detracts from the film’s authenticity. Nonetheless, it remains an aesthetically pleasing production with compelling performances. The film’s success hinges on its ability to tell a poignant story of self-discovery and identity within the confines of societal expectations during the 1920s, even if it occasionally sacrifices historical accuracy for cinematic appeal.

"The Danish Girl" Blu-ray release from Universal Home Entertainment offers a technically dazzling home viewing experience, although the film's take on its source material may leave some viewers divided. The movie, directed by Tom Hooper, features standout performances from Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander, whose portrayals anchor this intimate and visually lush narrative on early gender-reassignment surgery. Hooper's direction is polished and the production design is rich in texture and color, underscoring the film's period setting.

Despite these artistic merits, the film's narrative choices may disappoint audiences familiar with the real-life history it dramatizes, veering towards fictionalization rather than staying true to the more poignant aspects of the actual events. This divergence from historical accuracy might dilute the story’s emotional impact for some viewers. Technical aspects of the Blu-ray such as video quality and audio fidelity are exceptional, ensuring a top-tier audio-visual presentation that highlights every nuanced performance and scenic detail vividly.

Unfortunately, the Blu-ray's supplementary content is sparse, limited to shallow making-of featurettes that fail to delve deeply into the fascinating true story or production insights. However, this release remains a worthwhile acquisition for those who value high-quality performances and impeccable technical execution in their home entertainment collections.

In conclusion, while "The Danish Girl" leaves much to be desired in terms of historical fidelity and depth in its storytelling, the exceptional performances and top-notch presentation on Blu-ray make it a visual and auditory treat. Therefore, despite its narrative shortcomings, the Blu-ray is recommended for its superb technical attributes and the remarkable strength of its cast’s performances.