Christian Petzold is one of more reliable European Directors working in World Cinema. He's done well over nearly 30 years of work in Cinema and TV but it's only with 2012 Barbara with Nina Hoss, where a larger audience started to notice his work. Following that with his masterpiece Phoenix, again with Hoss in lead role. Then followed that with the very good Transit (2018) with the same two leads Paula Beer and Franz Rogowski that star in Undine.
While I don't think Undine is quite at the same level as Barbara, Phoenix or Transit. It still a wonderful little film. I can see why die hard fans of Petzold might not have liked it or why it's gotten a average 6.6 score on this site. Romantic films can be a required taste for some.
I do think the film isn't as strong once Paula Beer is gone from it. While Transit was Rogowski showcase and Beer took more of a backseat in that film. This is Beer's film all the way and she's the heart and soul of it. But both leads have great chemistry together and you totally buy into their romance, Rogowski really is great at playing male character's who wear their heart on their sleeves and been vulnerable. Such a great actor, and he's wonderful in this.
Beer is fantastic though as Undine, when we first see her when she's been dumped at the cafe by her married lover, well played by. Jacob Matschenz. One of the best scenes of a break up I've seen in a film. Even when she's on her job as a historian of Berlin, the way she does her job is great. I do like we see hints of her not been like any normal person and that she might be slightly different.
I would definitely recommend this film, it's only 1hr 28mins. Again It probably be lower tier Petzold for and I can totally understand why it's got a average rating. I think the two leads performances alone is the main reason to watch this.
While I don't think Undine is quite at the same level as Barbara, Phoenix or Transit. It still a wonderful little film. I can see why die hard fans of Petzold might not have liked it or why it's gotten a average 6.6 score on this site. Romantic films can be a required taste for some.
I do think the film isn't as strong once Paula Beer is gone from it. While Transit was Rogowski showcase and Beer took more of a backseat in that film. This is Beer's film all the way and she's the heart and soul of it. But both leads have great chemistry together and you totally buy into their romance, Rogowski really is great at playing male character's who wear their heart on their sleeves and been vulnerable. Such a great actor, and he's wonderful in this.
Beer is fantastic though as Undine, when we first see her when she's been dumped at the cafe by her married lover, well played by. Jacob Matschenz. One of the best scenes of a break up I've seen in a film. Even when she's on her job as a historian of Berlin, the way she does her job is great. I do like we see hints of her not been like any normal person and that she might be slightly different.
I would definitely recommend this film, it's only 1hr 28mins. Again It probably be lower tier Petzold for and I can totally understand why it's got a average rating. I think the two leads performances alone is the main reason to watch this.