Cast and Crew Information
Franka Potente as Lola
Moritz Bleibtreu as Manni
Herbert Knaup as Vater
Nina Petri as Jutta Hansen
Written and directed by Tom Tykwer
Availability Information
Available on DVD and Blu-Ray.
Premise
Lola's boyfriend lost 100,000 marks that didn't belong to him. He's got 20 minutes to come up with the cash before his employer finds out, and he can't do it alone.
High Point
"What's in the bag?"
Low Point
The actual plot itself was somewhat thin.
The Review
This is decidedly original. The alternate realities it plays through are rarely dealt with in cinema, and few movies incorporate that cerebral edge with this level of kinetic pacing. I give it 6 out of 6.
The effects were very minimal. In fact, there was really only the one visual effects sequence, and it's essentially fancy camera work in the first few minutes. It was well done, though. I give it 5 out of 6.
The story is as minimal as the effects. There are a number of random incidents that are well entwined, but actual plot and storylines are sparse. I give it 3 out of 6.
The acting is well done. Potente not only carries the movie, she makes it. The rest of the cast play their roles well enough, but it's Potente we'll find front and centre, and it's her emotions and desperation that pull the entire piece together. I give it 5 out of 6.
The production is the aspect that could destroy an experimental movie such as this one. Editing is critical, as are framing and staging. This team nailed it all. I give it 6 out of 6.
The emotional response is fantastic. The opening grabs you immediately, and it doesn't slow down until you hit an interlude designed to let you catch your breath, after which you're right back into it. I give it 5 out of 6.
Overall, this film is highly recommended. There's not a lot of detail in the plot, but it's really not needed for this type of film. Yeah, the lack of plot was my low point, but only because I couldn't come up with anything else to complain about after twenty minutes of dwelling on the problem. I give it 6 out of 6.
In total, Run Lola Run receives 36 out of 42.
