History Film / TheDanishGirl

In 1926, Lili (then presenting as male) and her wife, Gerda, were accomplished painters in Copenhagen. One day, Gerda asks Lili to stand in for their mutual friend, Ulla, who was supposed to model for her latest painting but canceled her appointment. After trying on women's clothing, Lili realizes that she is transgender. Gerda doesn't know what to make of her "husband"'s changes at first. But eventually, Gerda stands by Lili as Lili undergoes gender affirming surgery.

* HideYourLesbians: An odd example, as the film deals openly with LGBT themes, but this is still applied to Gerda. The film has her leave Lili after her transition, and explicitly states that her coming out ended their sex life. In real life, they never stopped living together, and some comments from Gerda indicate that Lili's coming out did not diminish her attraction to her. Gerda also had been known for painting lesbian erotica, scandalizing many people at the time, and strongly encourage Lili in her transition, indicating she was at least bisexual.

A 2000 novel by David Ebershoff, ''The Danish Girl'' is based on the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of sex-reassignment surgery (also known as gender affirmation or gender confirmation surgery). A film version, directed by Creator/TomHooper and starring Creator/EddieRedmayne and Creator/AliciaVikander, was released in 2015 after spending over a decade in DevelopmentHell.

In 1926, Lili (then presenting as male) and her wife, Gerda, were accomplished painters in Copenhagen. One day, Gerda asks Lili to stand in for their mutual friend, Ulla, who was supposed to model for her latest painting but canceled her appointment. After trying on women's clothing, Lili realizes that she is transgender. Gerda doesn't know what to make of her "husband"'s changes at first. But eventually, she stands by Lili as she undergoes sex-reassignment surgery.

* ComingOutStory: Lili realises she's a woman, having to struggle with transitioning and eventually undergoes sex-reassignment surgery (among the first trans women who ever did this).
* CostumePorn: The film showcases gorgeous, 1920's clothing.

* TransTribulations: It's about Lili dealing with being trans. At first she's distraught over her realization and the strain it starts to put on her marriage. She goes to a string of psychiatrists who are unhelpful at best, until finally meeting a doctor who accepts her for herself, proposing that Lili undergo (then a totally novel) sex-reassignment surgery. Lili enthusiastically agrees. [[spoiler:Though this sadly causes her death, she's happy at having chosen to.]]

* SceneryPorn: The film shows many beautiful scenes from Copenhagen and Paris in the 1920s.

* ComingOutStory: Lili realises she's a woman.
* CostumePorn: 1920's clothing.

* HideYourLesbians: An odd example, as the film deals openly with LGBT themes, but this is still applied to Gerda. The film has her leave Lili after her transition, and explicitly states that her coming out ended their sex life. In real life, they never stopped living together, and some comments from Gerda indicate that Lili's coming out did not diminish her attraction to her.

* SceneryPorn: Copenhagen and Paris in the 1920s.

* TransTribulations: It's about Lili dealing with being trans.

** Far from struggling with her spouse's identity, the real Gerda Gottlieb was highly supportive all through Lili's transition, and remained close with Lili until her death. Also, there is no historical evidence supporting Gerda losing her attraction to Lili after the transition - and plenty of evidence to the contrary. The real Gerda Wegener drew lesbian erotica, and lived openly with Lili as a lesbian couple in Paris. Their marriage ended simply because Denmark didn't recognize unions between two women at the time.

In 1926, Lili (then "Einar Wegener") and her wife, Gerda, were accomplished painters in Copenhagen. One day, Gerda asks Lili to stand in for their mutual friend, Ulla, who was supposed to model for her latest painting but canceled her appointment. After trying on women's clothing, Lili realizes that she is transgender. Gerda doesn't know what to make of her "husband"'s changes at first. But eventually, she stands by Lili as she undergoes sex-reassignment surgery.

In 1926, Lili (then "Einar Wegener") and her wife, Gerda, were accomplished painters in Copenhagen. One day, Gerda asks Lili to stand in for their mutual friend, Ulla, who was supposed to model for her latest painting but canceled her appointment. After trying on women's clothing, Lili realizes that she is transgender. Gerda doesn't know what to make of her "husband's" changes at first. But eventually, she stands by Lili as she undergoes sex-reassignment surgery.

In 1926, Lili (then "Einar Wegener") and her wife, Gerda, were accomplished painters in Copenhagen. One day, Gerda asks Lili to stand in for their mutual friend, Ulla, who was supposed to model for her latest painting but canceled her appointment. After trying on women's clothing, Lili realizes that she is transgender. Gerda doesn't know what to make of her "husband"'s changes at first. But eventually, she stands by Lili as she undergoes sex-reassignment surgery.

** Far from struggling with her spouse's identity, the real Gerda Gottlieb was highly supportive all through Lili's transition, and remained close with Lili until her death.
** Several characters are invented, including Hans. Also, there is no historical evidence supporting Gerda losing her attraction to Lili after the transition - and plenty of evidence to the contrary. The real Gerda Wegener drew lesbian erotica, and lived openly with Lili as a lesbian couple in Paris.

A 2000 novel by David Ebershoff, ''The Danish Girl'' is based on the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of sex-reassignment surgery (also known as gender affirmation or gender confirmation surgery). A film version, directed by Tom Hooper and starring Creator/EddieRedmayne and Creator/AliciaVikander, was released in 2015 after spending over a decade in DevelopmentHell.

* YourCheatingHeart: Subverted, as it's emotional rather than physical. Despite clearly being tempted, Gerda rebuffs Hans' advances, explicitly telling him, "I'm still married to Einar", while Lili's fling with Henrik never goes beyond a few kisses.

* HideYourLesbians: An odd example, as the film deals openly with LGBT themes, but this is still applied to Gerda. The film has her leave Lili after her transition, and explicitly states that her coming out ended their sex life. In real life, they never stopped living together, and some comments from Gerda indicate that [[UsefulNotes/{{Bisexual}} Lili's coming out did not diminish her attraction to her]]. Perhaps the creators thought audience couldn't handle a main character who was both a trans woman and in a lesbian relationship.

In 1926, Einar Wegener and his wife, Gerda, were accomplished painters in Copenhagen. One day, Gerda asks Einar to stand in for their mutual friend, Ulla, who was supposed to model for her latest painting but cancelled her appointment. After trying on women's clothing, Einar starts to identify as a woman named Lili Elbe. Gerda doesn't know what to make of her husband's changes at first. But eventually, she stands by Lili as she undergoes sex-reassignment surgery.