“Run Lola Run” : My first!
The Film: Run Lola Run
The Cast: Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu
The Director: Tom Tykwer
1999 (USA) , Germany
“The ball is round, the game lasts 90 minutes. That’s a fact. Everything else is just theory.” …so begins the film in true German spirit for the love of soccer, only that it is reflective of the next 90 minutes that one sits through as well.
The Game: Lola’s (Franka Potente) boyfriend Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) will be killed by gangsters as he has misplaced the money he owed them. Lola has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 mark or Manni will rob a superstore. Ready Steady Go!
Simple enough, eh? The film actually requires deeper understanding than most people care to believe. Sure, the visuals are great, and it’s a pleasure to watch this flaming red haired punk chick in a tank top and a tattoo run across town with each muscle flexing on her face shown clearly. The effect is great. And it better be, because that’s what forms most part of the film.
Critics have described the film as an MTV video or a pop song, or both. In my opinion, it is all of that, and so much more!
The story, beginning with the phone flying through the air as Lola prepares to run, is repeated three times over the course of the film with subtle changes in circumstances that alter the outcomes, while some of the basic situations recur in all three versions with small but influential alterations.
So the first time, things turn out badly for Lola, the second time things go wrong for Manni and in the third, all is well and they are able to solve their problem and live happily ever after…. There are 3 separate endings with each run, but somehow I don’t really see them all as separate alternate realities, but kind of feeding in to each other and part of a process through which the main protagonists resolve their feelings for each other and through that, get the will to actually alter circumstances to favour them in the most unbelievable manner.
On a very basic level, one can see faith in the romantic possibilities of movies. A world is created, where anything is possible: last-minute betrayals or last-minute miracles that can make you laugh out loud at the sheer “bollywoodisation” of it all! The approach of the director can be compared to that of a child playing a favorite video game where he would keep pressing the reset button, till things go exactly as he wants them to.
Now, the basic analysis being, this film is NOT merely articulating the butterfly effect (the theory of a butterfly flapping its wings in Malaysia ultimately causing a hurricane in Trinidad). One way of looking at the film is belief in its illustration that life is a complex interaction between chance and order. Chance adds uncertainty to the direction of events, but order is imposed by a number of factors, including the human will.
One thing that needs to be mentioned is the film’sbackground techno score. It fits in really well with the theme and contributes o the rhythm in a big way.
Franka is a joy to watch, and one can see that she is the perfect Lola. She has the look of every “wised-up” yet naive street kid that can be seen hanging around record stores or clubs…and Moritz…well he doesn’t have much to offer on screen ( he’s super hot though) , and though you wouldn’t really care if he lived or died… for Lola’s sake, you do!
As an experiment, I asked a few people who have seen the film at some point – What is it that you remember about the film?? And most, as expected, remember Lola in high gear.
Great, I know……but, the essence of the film, in my opinion, is highly underrated, and may be grossly misunderstood. And that, is a pity.
Tags: German
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good one..
keep it up!!!!!!!!
I agree. The movie is something of a thing that runs on a hyper drive. The idea was to show the same day in 3 different ways. Tragic, Tragic, Magic. I would say, yes, it’s an MTVish take on a story. O Hell, the story itself could be viewed as written in MTV style. I see that you connected with Lola and it shows in your review.
Fantastic review! I haven’t seen the film but definitely want to watch it after reading your piece!
She’s a witch. In modern times.
Hi Chandni,
It is a good film but gets a bit boring to wtch saame running girl…they should have not repeated it so many times…
But also want to say you write well
@Pushan: Thanks buddy!
@Oz: I guess most people who like the film like it because of Lola! And yes…it was an MTV video in a lot of ways :d
@Rusha: DO that and let us know at PFC how you liked it!
@Anangbhai: That’s a matter of perception
@Sid: Well…I don’t think they could have done it differently as Oz pointed out, the idea was to show the same day in 3 diff ways..and that’s the essence of the film and what makes it diff…
and thanks for the compliment
Hmmm… Interesting.. well written!
i have seen that movie before..having read your review, I feel like watching it all over again and this time watch for the nuances too…
Nicely done!
*Hugs*
It is one of the best creative movies i have seen, apart from Momento. A takil movie called 12 B on similar lines was made with Jyothika, and another movie on the lines of Momento called Ghajini with surya. Ghajini will be made in Bollywood with Aamr Khan under the same director.. Murgadoss. Run Lola Run.. Awesome… u r review superb
@vrij: Thanks!
@perspective inc: do that, its worth it!
@Dhruv: awwwwwww *hugs back*
@Sumeet: you and I seem to have similar taste in movies! Glad u liked the review!
Good review. As you said quite clearly the concept of showing three ‘possibilities’ WAS Great. Check out this film ‘Blind chance’(strikes immediately) which is different though but still an innovative concept with a very good screenplay. Those who loved RLR can also check out Rashomon, Butterfly effect, Happenstance Groundhog day and memento (what a movie..probably the most non-linear script ever).
In recent times, Momento & Butterfly effect are two movies that I’ve loved the execution in.
I really loved “Lola Rennet.” The best part of the movie for me is the techno sound track. I keep hearing the sound track on a CD and every time I hear it, it really makes you want to get up and start running
hey, RLR inspired something called ek din 24 ghante in hindi…very disappointing.