Tags
1990's, Foreign Language Film, Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu, Run Lola Run, Thriller, Tom Tykwer
Film Title
Run Lola Run
Director
Tom Tykwer
Starring
- Franka Potente as Lola
- Moritz Bleibtreu as Manni
A blistering and electrifying exercise in visual style and white knuckle thrills, Run Lola Run bursts onto the screen and pulls you along with its innovative approach and unforgettable heroine.
Young, flame-haired Lola receives a desperate and panicked call from her boyfriend Manni. He is an errand boy for a local criminal and while taking money to his feared boss, he misplaced it on the train. If Manni doesn’t get 100,000 marks in 20 minutes he will most likely be killed or Manni will rob a supermarket to get the funds. Lola rushes out the door to save her beloved from sudden death or doing something incredibly stupid. Thinking on her feet, she scrambles to find that amount of money while on the clock, that continues to count down to potential doom. Lola’s journey is depicted in three versions, each with a differing outcome to the last and emblazoned with little changes. Yet which outcome will be the most successful for Lola in order to snatch Manni from the jaws of death or a prison cell?
Tom Tykwer and his direction is masterful to say the least here in this breakneck thriller. His sheer command over the lightening-paced story is second to none and he sure knows how to pull out the visuals that make this film so well-known. From whip pans and zooming close-ups, to a little animated scene, Tykwer is ambitious but immensely talented at imbuing the piece with a beating intensity. The way that Lola is given three tries at gaining the money is reminiscent of a video game, where chances are employed to attempt again. Yet unlike video games that can get extremely repetitive, Run Lola Run has a deeper understanding and command to sustain the interest. For a movie of such a short running time, Run Lola Run crams a lot in but it never feels overstuffed or bursting from too much. Instead, the smooth direction and constantly kinetic pace draws you into the versions of Lola’s desperate run to save her lover’s life. In the moments of quiet from the rest of the unrelenting running, we glimpse Lola and Manni engaging in a sort of philosophical pillow talk. Many of the things they say foreshadow events that will later come and provides us with a surprising emotional backbone to the film. The plot is simple when you boil it down, but the effective execution is what truly makes Run Lola Run an experience to be witnessed. Observing the subtle differences in each of the three segments is something to behold as the themes of chance and fate are introduced to the mix with each new take on the 20 minutes. The movie taps into the feeling that we don’t quite realise how chance encounters with others and seemingly ordinary events have a massive impact on the lives of others. This is captured through the quick shots of futures belonging to people who Lola passes on her run and they are hugely immersive. Surprises abound too as the clock ticks down for both the film and Lola’s plans to get the required money before Manni does something unwise. The pounding techno score matches the roller coaster of events and the almost constant running of the title character, rhythmically mirroring her frantic steps and desperate actions.
Franka Potente thrills and arrests with you her gaze as the title character. Physically, she is excellent for the part with her athletic figure and unmistakable shock of red hair. Yet her biggest triumph is in the moments when Lola displays that she is really an ordinary woman in a circumstance that is growing more intense. Her sense of honesty and piercing eyes is what makes Run Lola Run a deeply intense experience. Moritz Bleibtreu also impresses as the doltish Manni, whose day could go from bad to worse depending on the outcome of Lola’s run. He may be a two-bit criminal, but you do feel a bit of sympathy for Manni in his predicament. When they are together, both stars work very well. And even when apart, they do some great work, particularly Franka Potente in the lead.
Stylish from every angle, scored with a fast-paced intensity and just all round breathtaking, Run Lola Run can best be described as the movie thriller equivalent of an assault course in the best possible way.
beetleypete said:
A classic modern European thriller, and a great central performance by Potente as Lola. You got this one 100% right, V.
(She is also excellent in ‘Creep’, the 2004 film, which I can recommend.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381966/ )
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
I told you I was going to watch more world cinema. And what better place to start than here. I could feel the adrenaline infused in this movie.
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beetleypete said:
World Cinema rocks mate! Try these, when you get the chance.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1305806/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247586/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405094/
More suggestions will follow!
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vinnieh said:
The link king is back. Thanks for those recommendations Pete. I like to be on the lookout for different movies.
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fragglerocking said:
Have not heard of this movie V~man, but will be on the lookout, sounds intriguing.
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vinnieh said:
Oh it’s a thriller of a movie.
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reocochran said:
This was well executed film and memorable. You go, Vinnie! I liked for an older movie with world implications, “The Unbearable Lightness of Being.” It has WWI and three incredible performances and what I considered “racy” scenes, back then. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
It went along like a speeding bullet and never lost my interest once. Thanks for the other recommendation. Racy you say?
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Eddy Winko said:
You just know I’m going to have to watch this now!
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vinnieh said:
Yes. Oh Eddy, you won’t be let down by this film. It grabs you along for the ride.
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Wendell said:
So glad you liked this one. It’s a fantastic rush of adrenaline. The key is something you touched on. Even though we essentially get the same story three different times it deepens enough with each telling to keep from being repetitive. Great review.
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vinnieh said:
The whole exercise could have become pretty boring but it turned out to be the opposite. Each story gains another layer to it as the clock ticks down.
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ninvoid99 said:
It’s been some years since I’ve seen it. It is an awesome film.
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vinnieh said:
Awesome is the name of the game with this film. It’s a kinetic thriller that exudes inventiveness from every angle. I can’t think of any film that is like this one.
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thoughtsallsorts said:
Great post! Great movie!
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vinnieh said:
I remembered you reviewing this a while back.
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Cindy Bruchman said:
It’s a great film, Vinnieh. I love the screaming she does to stop time, manipulate time to her advantage. The roulette scene at the end and how the film resolves itself is a lot of fun and satisfying.
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vinnieh said:
That is one hell of a scream that she emits. All those references to time are quite clever and well thought out. The image I always have is Lola running through the crowd of nuns.
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alexraphael said:
Loved this movie. Blew my mind when I saw it in German class.
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vinnieh said:
Mind blowing is a good way to describe this film. Your jaw is just on the floor as all the visuals and adroit techniques craft an intense film. Quite simply a movie that makes you say wow.
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alexraphael said:
Exactly 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
And yet another movie I’d be missing out on if it wasn’t for you!😊
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vinnieh said:
You simply need to see this Kim. It’s a real experience.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m definitely going on the hunt for it!
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vinnieh said:
When the film is finished, you’ll be near out of breath.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Just my cup of tea!🙋🏻
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vinnieh said:
I like to hear that Kim.
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Eva Blaskovic said:
This was a great movie! I had the feeling it was little-known. I learned about it through my kids’ school (I believe it was German class). The teacher had the students watch it as part of the curriculum. Some time later, I was fortunate to buy my own copy. We watched it again a few more times. It was a good lesson in not texting while watching — you really don’t want to miss anything because you want to be able to make the comparisons.
The movie also brought to mind the often-asked question of “What if?” What if this had happened instead of that? What if a person was delayed by a second or two? What if a piece of information was given at this time or a sooner/later time? How would our fates have been different? (You know, things the old, wise folks said not to dwell upon because it was pointless.)
I thought about this kind of stuff since I was a young kid, which influenced me to become an avid sci-fi, physics, space-time, alternate timeline fan. I find myself thinking a little too much about these things.
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vinnieh said:
This movie is sensational from start to finish. Apart from being quick and grabbing you along for the ride, it does temper things with those philosophical questions. It worked so well, as I felt an adrenaline rush as well as something that engaged my brain.
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Eva Blaskovic said:
A great combination.
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vinnieh said:
It truly gives you the best of both worlds.
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