Reviews of Run Lola Run
Displaying all 2 reviews
Turner S
8Apr10
I just finished watching this film for the first time after reading about it being an awesome movie on a review website. After seeing the film for myself I have to agree that it’s an amazingly crafted movie. The movie was made in Berlin, also taking place there, and the plot involves a young woman, Lola, being instructed by her boyfriend to help him get one hundred thousand dollars for a mobster in twenty minutes. The film then shows the audience three completely different outcomes that could occur from different moments that Lola leaves her apartment. This allows for some ingenious humor that constantly has the viewer looking forward to seeing how different events occur. A good example of this is with a plate glass window being carried across a street, the different outcomes being if the glass shatters or not.
The movie also features an energetic techno soundtrack that is frequent throughout the entire film, enhancing the fast-paced and thrilling scenes. The films also uses some amazing editing to piece together the different events, utilizing freeze-frames and black and white to showcase different time frames and fractured outcomes of events. The color in the film showcases the vibrancy and energy of Lola’s character and perfectly contributes to maintaining the film’s pace, utilizing similar colors to cut between events. Editing is also key in the progression of this film, as two scenes usually interlap during the time frame, allowing for the audience to see two character’s events at once.
Despite the fact that the majority of the film is just Lola running to get the cash for her boyfriend, the movie never loses its pace and remains intriguing throughout. The audience is always waiting for what will be the different outcome of certain events, such as Lola going left or right at a certain instant. Since each story is told in the approximate time frame of twenty minutes, the movie is quite short at only eighty minutes long. This is all the time the movie needs though, so no scene is ever pointless or unnecessary.
The film blends different styles to get the whole story across in a meaningful and artistic way, utilizing black and white, as well as animated sequences. These scenes enhance the films stylistic and cartoonish nature, which greatly benefits the entire film.
In its entirety, Run Lola Run is an amazingly designed and thrilling film. The whole movie is fast paced and never slows down, which allows for quick and meaningful scenes that can lead to completely different and dire consequences depending on Lola’s actions. I would never believe that a film with very little dialogue that for a majority consists of a single character running would be an entertaining film, but thanks to amazing editing and a unique storytelling methods, Run Lola Run is an excellent and original film.
Rating: 8/10
- Currently 4.0/5 Stars.
jaredmobarak
26Nov08
I am a big Tom Tykwer fan. Between his latest, Perfume, his short in Paris, je t’aime, and the wonderful directing of Heaven from the late Kieslowski’s script, I must say he is unafraid to use any technical ingenuity he can think of. This type of delving into mixed genres and cinematic senses needs to start somewhere though, and that start is Lola rennt. This film is an adrenaline rush for the entire duration being driven by the pulsating techno/electronica beats behind all the action. From straight film to animation to freeze-frame montages of photographs, Tykwer never lets the viewer get bored. Even the script stays witty and poignant at the same time, portraying the love between our two leads as well as the crazy situation they have been thrust into. The film knows it is unbelievable, yet never uses it as a crutch. It shows us early what we are to expect and it never disappoints.
The crux of the story is that Lola’s boyfriend Manni has lapsed during his getaway from selling stolen cars. He gets scared on the subway when he sees the cops and accidentally leaves his bag of 100,000 marks on his seat to be stolen by a street bum. Blaming Lola for not being where she was supposed to be to pick him up, he calls her for any ideas on how to save his own skin. The problem, though, is that he needs to get the money before twenty minutes are up or his boss will kill him. Here begins the film and Lola’s running to get the money from her bank manager father before Manni holds up the grocery store he is at. During her journey, she passes strangers and learns secrets from people she thought loved her. Tykwer brilliantly shows what happens to these people in quick-paced montages of photos on their activities in the near future. Depending on what happens when they encounter each other, though, this look into the future is not set in stone. How do they get to meet for the first time more than once? Let’s just say Tykwer is not afraid to mess with life, death, and time in order to get his point across of love conquering all.
Besides the innovative camera techniques and the humorous dialogue and plot situations, the acting doesn’t falter either. All the supporting players know their roles and play them to full effect in order to complement our two leads. As for them, Moritz Bleibtreu fully encompasses the role of the up-and-coming criminal who’s fear and lack of confidence seem to get in the way of his lofty goals and Franka Potente never slows down in her portrayal of Lola. Potente is that girl who has rebelled against her more stuffy family, dyed her hair bright red/orange, tattooed herself, and fallen for the bad boy thug. Despite the lifestyle however, both of these characters are very much good people at heart, willing to do anything for each other in order to stay together. The cut scenes that bridge both moments of time travel help show this humanity. In bed, probably after making love, the two talk about what they truly mean to one another and whether love is true and if it will last after death.
Tykwer has crafted a film that was totally fresh at the time it came out. This German gem could be seen as a precursor to films like Crank and The Transporter. By no means are they similar in subject matter or violence and action, however, the use of music and fast editing in order to create a non-stop ride for the audience is prevalent in both. Lola rennt is an amalgam equal parts romance, comedy, action, and thriller, but also a 100% fantastic spectacle.
- Currently 4.0/5 Stars.