Prinzessin is a fascinating and heartwarming story about the unique relationship between an uncle and his niece - subvided in two stages of their life - that takes an unexpected turn. Although the story is told quietly and slowly, you never feel bored. You just want to follow the two main characters, both young and old, on their way through life, you laugh and cry with them and just wish the best for them. This is why the movie would be nothing without its great actors. Lia Hahne is the cutest girl and plays her part very well just as Johanna Bantzer, the performances of Matthias Habich and Fabian Krüger as Joseph are just overwhelming.
I would have given it an even better rating, but I am too sick of movies about drug addicts that make their families and friends look like one-dimensional heartless beings. While Joseph is shown as a struggling, yet loving and warm-hearted person, Nina's mother is cold, distant and arrogant (and not only her), in her short screentime you never see her laugh or cry or showing any kind of true affection towards her daughter. I know that this is a common way to make it easier for the viewer to take sides for the addicted one. But it takes away much credibility from the movie for me. It feels like a slap in the face of people who suffer from drug addicted famliy members, day after day, year after year, until they just can't stand it any longer. There is no need to present them as just mean and callous. Nina and Joseph are lovely enough to empathize with them AND their family.
That is my only criticism. Dispite of that I can really recommend this movie to everyone who has a heart. But beware: The second half of the movie might not be what you expected.
