"The real Lili Elbe deserves credit for forging ahead where few before her had gone, but Hooper's decision to leave out crucial details feels more dishonest than respectful (and if he really wanted to strike a blow against Hollywood's heteronormative hegemony, he would have hired a transgender actor to play her). Instead, she comes across as a symbol, which is not insignificant, but in Hilary Swank's performance, Brandon Teena was a human being first and foremost—a human being who deserved better from life than he got. Lili, in turn, deserves better than the pretty, pastel treatment Hooper has applied to her life." - KATHY FENNESSY