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Run Lola Run Review
By admin | August 21, 2009
Run Lola Run Trailer
Run Lola Run Review
COMMENTS
RUN LOLA RUN was one of the few movies this year that I would have actually gone out to the theater to see — only problem was… RUN LOLA RUN wasn’t playing anywhere around me — this German film received a very limited theatrical release, but it didn’t stop the movie from generating quite a buzz.
Especially when RUN LOLA RUN was acclaimed at the Sundance Film Festival where it won the Audience Award.
The premise is intriguing: A young girl has 20 minutes to dig up $100,000 in cash before her boyfriend is killed by mobsters.
So how does 20 minutes stretch into 81? I’m not saying, because it was such a refreshing, interesting and unusual surprise — I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you. But here’s a hint: Think video games.
The thing I really dug about this flick was the fresh and creative approach that really worked. I’ve never experienced such a high energy, frantic and fun film like LOLA before. Just watching that girl with hair so red it would make Larry Harmon blush (remember Bozo?) tearing through the streets at top speed is fascinating. I sure wouldn’t want to do it, but I like seeing someone else run. Especially someone whose young face doesn’t bounce and contort from flabby, loosening skin tone.
At first, the movie is a bit confusing, with lots of fast cuts and rapid-fire editing, set to a pulsing, staccato Euro-beat in what amounts to a very cool and riveting soundtrack.
First impressions might lead older audience members to muse that this flick is definitely geared for the younger 20-something audience with its’ MTV-ish, flamboyantly artistic approach by German filmmaker Tom Tykwer. And that’s true. But after you get into the groove, so to speak, it’s easy to get involved with the characters and become accomplices in the chase, no matter what your musical tastes or demographic. RUN LOLA RUN appeals equally to both sexes, young and old.
This really is an infectious movie. Very different, very interesting, very cool. The sound and editing really steal the show. One of the most creative and catchy elements employed by Tykwer (who also wrote the film) is the flash-forward technique in which various snapshots in rapid succession give us a glimpse of the future for several of the supporting characters.
Considering that I wasn’t able to see this film in the theater, I was deeply appreciative of the attention that Columbia TriStar has given this film. Often, foreign films (LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, for instance) are offered in a compromised fashion. Either the transfer is not anamorphic or there aren’t enough extra features to really enhance the home viewing experience.
RUN LOLA RUN not only looks and sounds fantastic (more below), but includes an English spoken running commentary with precisely the two people you want to hear from: Star Franka Potente and Writer/Director Tom Tykwer. Their collaboration on the commentary is superb and the interplay between the two is comfortable and relaxed. I’ve sat through too many commentaries where the narrator dries up and several minutes worth of film passes before they chime in again with behind the scenes information. Not so with this one. Both individuals have a lot to say and strike me as being highly intelligent as well as engaging. Bravo.
Throwing some animation into the mix, RUN LOLA RUN slows considerably during intimate flashback scenes between Lola and her boyfriend, Manni. My wife even deadpanned “Come on, this isn’t Talk Lola Talk…” These moments are fortunately brief, but also intregal to the story in the way it underscores the true love relationship between Lola and Manni. Hell, just seeing her run is enough to demonstrate the depths of HER devotion.
I’m just glad that Ms. Potente is modestly endowed and wears a sports bra under her tank top — otherwise the buzz that this movie generated might have been of a different focus entirely.
It’s better to watch this film at least twice. Once to read the English subtitles while listening in German and once in English so you can spend more time studying the actors’ visual performances.
Couldn’t do that at the theater, could ya?
RUN LOLA RUN is a wild ride, exceptionally well crafted and lots of fun to watch.
SYNOPSIS
Lola (Franka Potente) receives a frantic call from her boyfriend, Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) who’s at a pay phone. Seems that Manni — a runner for a drug dealer — has accidentally lost the boss’ bread by forgetting it on a commuter train car after getting nervous at the sight of a couple of policemen on board. In his haste to exit the train at the stop and distracted by a bum who falls down in front of him, Manni leaves the cash on the seat. By the time he remembers, it’s too late.
Lola feels responsible in part, because Manni is laying the blame on her for neglecting to pick him up with the cash at a predetermined place and time. He should have never been on that train to begin with.
It all boils down to this: The pusher is going to kill Manni and won’t believe his story of losing the stash. Desperate to save his own hide, Manni decides that he’s going to rob a grocery store at gunpoint to hopefully try and come up with the loot.
Lola begs him not to do it. Manni gives her 20 minutes to come up with an alternative idea. At the top of the hour, he’s going to move forth with his plan to rob the supermarket in a desperate attempt to save his own life.
This sets Lola into motion. Her moped stolen only that morning (which is why she failed to pick up Manni), Lola has no way to reach Manni in time any faster than on foot. So she runs. And runs some more. And we’re with her every fast, deliberate (if somewhat klunky) step of the way.
I’ll bet I lost fifteen pounds just watching that girl go. And we’re only seeing 1/5th of the amount of running time that Potente actually did for the film. In Doc Marten boots no less. Don’t try this at home.
IMAGE
It isn’t uncommon to see foreign language films (even highly acclaimed ones) get the short shrift when it comes to image transfer. Not so with RUN LOLA RUN. Columbia TriStar has turned out another outstanding example of what DVD should be. Even though I missed the theatrical release, I can’t image how RUN LOLA RUN could have looked any better than it does here.
Colors are well saturated, never bleeding. The animated sequences even look good. Everything is sharp, clear and detailed. Brightness is excellent. So is the contrast, black level and shadow detail. In other words, it’s a five-glober, folks. Our highest marks.
SOUND
We watched RUN LOLA RUN in both English and German. The English voiceovers sound a bit stilted, but the 5.1 mix is awesome. Besides the English Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrac, there’s also a Dolby Prologic Surround mix and of course the original German language 5.1 mix. I’ve listened to both the English and German 5.1 versions and they sound superb.
The techno-beat soundtrack of Frank Behnke sounds sensational, adding to the pacing and frenetic energy of RUN LOLA RUN. Sound effects are well placed and there is frequent, (but not overly done) use of the rear surrounds. Solid, spacious and clear as a bell, the audio quality is state of the art.
Quick triva note: With the exception of one song, all of the lilting, heavenly female vocalization on the background music tracks belong to lead actress Franka Potente. Neat.
If you’ve read enough of our reviews, you know The BIG Picture doesn’t dish out our highest honors like candy. But the soundtrack for this film is so sweet, we can’t help but to serve up a five globe rating.