Undine (Paula Beer) is a historian who works as a museum guide who knows all about the Humboldt Forum and Berlin’s urban development architecture. When the man she loves, Johannes (Jacob Matschenz), leaves her, Undine’s world starts collapsing. As the ancient myth states, Undine must kill the man who has betrayed her and then return to the water; but that may change as she meets Christoph (Franz Rogowski), who may give her a chance at new love.
Although it does not reach a semi-experimental level of creativity like Petzold’s past work, most notably in his critically acclaimed Phoenix (2014), the “Undine” takes a less verbatim and more modern road to tell the old tale of the water nymph. It uses its arthouse roots to create a romantic aura and dramatic pull in between the lines of a mythological figure in European lore. Films like “Moonlight” (2016) and “The Shape of Water” (2017) use water as part of their symbolism—and this film does the same. Water, or the color blue, is used to expand its lore and build a lustral relationship behind the characters.
The best moments in the film are when it settles down into romance between Undine and Johannes; this is thanks mostly to Beer and Rogowski and their chemistry on-screen. Both starred in Petzold’s previous film “Transit” (2018), where they played lost souls per se, similar to what their characters in this film pass through. While there is not much plot to hang on to, their performances draw you in; they complement each so other perfectly that it discerns as natural and genuine. It has a feeling like they are truly in love with each other. Their love matures as the film goes on and every moment they spend together, shines immensely.
The standout of the film, and one of the main reasons why people should give this film some attention, is Paula Beer. She delivers an array of emotions, at times in the same scene. In a matter of seconds, she can switch from confusion to fragility to touching passion. Palpable chemistry floats through this fairytale; however, there is one aspect that gets in the way of this film from becoming something greater. That aspect is its use of the water spirits of the Undines. Supernatural aspects in romantic or dramatic stories can make or break a film, depending on how the films manages them.
In this case, the film modernizes the mythology. As such, it doesn’t reach such a big surrealistic demeanor that maintains the picture grounded while emotionally tangible to the audience. Petzold is not a conventional director known by the public; however, he is a director that understands how to assemble a passionate film. “Undine” is not his strongest, experimental, nor profound work, but it still has quite a lot to offer when it comes to fairytale-esque romance. Beautiful and eye-gazing cinematography by Hans Fromm buffers the film. Additionally, charming performances by the leads and its serene direction make the film both interesting and grounded.
*”Undine” is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
