Product: Run, Lola, Run [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 5.0
Fantastic, hip and energized
A fantastic, hip, and energized look at a young woman (Lola, of course) who must raise 100,000 DM in 20 minutes before her boyfriend Manni, who has to answer to a gangster about a large sum of money that he mistakenly left on a train. Run Lola Run literally runs right from its MTV-inspired opening credits, using a striking mixture of incredible lighting, quick editing, and animation to give a unique feel to late 90s Berlin (it is also a somewhat more optimistic picture of Berlin than the Berlin of Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire, which the film alludes to in its opening moments). The result is three different looks at what Lola's adventure might turn into. Fantastic on every level, the direction is both quickly-paced (perhaps a little too quick in parts) and yet never fails to involve the audience. All of the characters emerge into full people through each "scenario." Incredible as it might sound, however, this film could have used some tighter editing, notably in the (rather trite, it must be admitted) scenes where we learn of Lola's father having an affair with a co-worker. I am unsure of what this subplot brings to the film other than a few laughs. As I said, the direction is tight and quick, but when the film slows, it slows for a reason, revealing character. Lola's flaming red hair will help you keep focused on her running when the camera segues to its aerial shots.