Product: Run, Lola, Run [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 5.0
An hour 20 minute WORKOUT!
In today's world of big-budget, formula movies, it is refreshing to come across a movie that tries to be a little different. Run, Lola, Run starts with slow music and a quote from TS Eliot. Almost immediately, the beat kicks in and a techno soundtrack envelopes the viewer. And once the techno starts, so does the action. Lola receives a desperate phone call from her boyfriend, Manni, who is working on a shadowy business deal. All he has left to do is pay 100,000 marks to an associate, but he's lost the money. In a panic, he tells Lola that he has twenty minutes to pay or he's dead. Lola then panics and tells Manni to stay put. She doesn't know how, but she'll bring him the money. And thus, Lola begins running.From this point on, the movie becomes three slightly different stories, each telling how Lola gets the money for Manni and each with a different ending. All three stories have many common elements, used to emphasize how a few moments difference can change an outcome. The first two stories are great and well executed; but the third story is a little far-fetched and somewhat slower in pace. Still, the energy of all three is overwhelming.This movie has several great qualities: the directing, the visual appeal, the interesting story, the incredible music (which adds to the feeling of urgency) and Franka Potente (Lola). Franka is very convincing as Lola and pulls off the endless running scenes looking like she could have been in the Olympics. With these qualities, this movie is a knock-out.The one major flaw of this movie (in my opinion) is that it doesn't quite tell you what the point is in telling the three different stories. Perhaps I'm not used to fine film-making and simply cannot figure out the theme of this one. The other thing I did not understand was Lola's screaming. On several occasions, Lola screams and shatters glass. Why or how is not clear to me. Perhaps you can figure it out. And even if you don't, you'll still love this movie.