Product: Run, Lola, Run [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 5.0
Something Different...
If you are like me, you are probably sick and tired of all the crap that Hollywood throws out year to year. There is no originality left in Hollywood, rather just conventionality. Most movies today are cycling through the same themes, plots, motifs, and archetypes of yesterday's movies. The German film Run Lola Run, however, has taken an original approach, separating it from the common Hollywood movie.First, in the movie you are shown three different scenarios with 3 very different outcomes. The idea the director plays on is that acting different in any one point in one's life can lead to startling outcomes - that every act is important and has its effect. In the movie, Lola, the main character, has twenty minutes to get her boyfriend a hundred thousand dollars cash, otherwise he will be killed. Acting slightly different each time she brings about shocking outcomes for both herself and her boyfriend. Hollywood movies on the other hand, will stick to one scenario, showing you how events would occur in one perspective. In reality, things never work out as well as they do in the movies. Hollywood will never account for life's many obstacles. Furthermore, the one-perspective- Hollywood-movie is usually the same perspective as all other movies from the past and present.Aside from the three-scenario plot, the movie also incorporates deep symbolism, which cannot be found in Hollywood. No matter how many times you watch this movie you can find more symbolism. For example, in the scenario where Lola is killed, many items are noticeably red, such as the color of her hair. In another scenario, when her boyfriend is killed, many items are noticeably yellow, like the color of his hair. Dissecting more of the movie, you find more and more symbolism in everything from names, to the moneybags, to the use of green as a symbol for money. By contrast, in the typical Hollywood movie you are hard pressed to find just a few symbols.Finally, the movie leaves the audience in a state of inquiry. You question whether it is better to make decisions based on intuition rather than reason. You question the merit of reincarnation. You question whether someone can will something to happen. Most Hollywood movies leave you with the typical happy ending, all questions answered. The whole reason writers write is to force you to examine a theme. Walking out of a Hollywood movie you are not forced to think about some aspect of life or human behavior. More often than not, the only question you are looking to answer is why did I watch this?In my personal opinion, the movie Run Lola Run is an original movie, surpassing the typical Hollywood film. The movie gathers a wide fan base because of its unique plot setup, its hefty and intricate use of symbolism, and its ability to leave the audience in a deep state of inquiry. I recommend that anyone seventeen years and older go see this movie (the movie is rated "R"). If you want to get the most out of this movie watch it as many times as you can...