Undercurrent (1946)

Overrated

Nice effects though.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

I generally only write reviews when I can be positive — but really, when you've included such greats as Robert Taylor, Katharine Hepburn and Robert Mitchum, couldn't someone have found a better, less implausible script? Yes, Dana Andrews did fall in love with Laura before meeting her in that wonderful film named after that great character. But as Laura, Gene Tierney had enough personality and charisma to pull it off. While I normally admire Robert Mitchum's wonderful acting skills, in this movie, Mitchum's character had no pizazz whatsoever — nada, zilch, nothing. Okay, so maybe Robert Taylor's character was a murderous thief, but at least you could stay awake when he opened his mouth. And I've never seen Hepburn appear so lackluster. After her performances in African Queen and Philadelphia Story, what a disappointment. It's generally okay when movies stretch our credulity IF there are other aspects to compensate — for example, leg-slapping hilarity or intensely moving drama, but to me, Undercurrent just comes across as lame and foolish. My favorite part is that no less than three characters in the movie can play the same song on the piano. And Brahms Symphony No. 3 isn't exactly chopsticks. Don't waste your evening.

Mild thriller with Katharine Hepburn miscast in the lead. Story of a somewhat sheltered young woman, attractive but with no particular personal style. She's swept off her feet by the dashing Taylor who remakes her in the image of a chic sophisticate that suits his position as an important personality. Everything seems fine until she starts to notice small cracks in the persona he shows to the world until he reveals himself a psychotic nut job with brother issues.It's all a bit lurid with Minnelli, in a departure from musicals, a bit off in his pacing. The big surprise though is that Robert Taylor is better in the film than Kate. It's not that she's bad just the wrong actress for the weak sister she's playing, Joan Fontaine, Anne Baxter or Geraldine Fitzgerald would all have been better suited to the part. Taylor on the other hand, while never a great actor, handles the suave heel with the dangerous edge very well. Another glaring mismatch is Hepburn and Mitchum. He was just starting out and the two clashed off screen, with her dressing him down and he as usual not caring what she thought. They share zero chemistry on screen, you can actually sense their mutual distaste for each other in the film. A major flaw since he's supposed to be her dream man. An okay movie but a minor film for all.

... after Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, to name only two, was this piece of cheese which does no one any favors. Strangely for Minnelli the construction is all over the place, for example, after establishing the close relationship between father-daughter Edmund Gwenn and Kathering Hepburn (reprising their relationship from Sylvia Scarlett) Gwenn virtually disappears leaving Hepburn isolated which is fine in terms of the plot but unrealistic in real life. Similarly Robert Taylor is introduced as a hard-headed successful businessman, hardly the kind of person to fall for an insecure wallflower. The only one required to do any real acting is Robert Mitchum, cast against type as a thoroughly decent man who values poetry and composition - the kind of part Leslie Howerd played in The Petrified Forest. Mitchum brings it off to a fare-thee-well but that's about the best you can give it.

Why does this film have a 6.3? Even the most cruel critic would give it a higher grade. There are many reasons why it should have, at least, a 7.To start with, the performances are incredible. There are some people here who criticize K. Hepburn's performance, when it is very good, very funny at the start and increasingly good as the film develops. Robert Taylor is absolutely excellent. Robert Mitchum doesn't appear in much of the film, but he acts his part perfectly.This film is directed by a great director, Vincente Minelli, who never disappoints and gives the film a quick, captivating pace. This film has a lot in common with "Rebecca", which is only a little better. All in all, a film well worth watching.