As soon as Eddie Redmayne's casting as transgender pioneer Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl was announced, Oscar buzz started in earnest. Redmayne won Best Actor at the 2015 ceremony for portraying Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything and it's possible that he could repeat that feat this time around. Redmayne plays Einar Wegener, a successful artist, who decides to transition after becoming increasingly uncomfortable in her male body. Alicia Vikander stars as Lili's wife and is being positioned for a Best Supporting Actress campaign. In any other year, The Danish Girl would be a safe bet for a Best Picture nomination. However, given the strength of the competition this year, its nomination will rest on the strength of the buzz around its actors and whether the Academy opts to give director Tom Hooper a nod as well.
Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.
