Sunday 2 January 2011

Film Review: RUN LOLA RUN (1998) [a.k.a. LOLA RENNT]


Director: Tom Tykwer
Running time: 80 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

UK release date: 22nd October 1999

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 2nd January 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I had heard some good things about this one before I watched it. It seems well liked amongst film writers and so I was pleased when I found it coming up on TV this week. You’ll be glad to know that they are indeed correct; it’s a great film with some very interesting ideas. But more of my drivel later, here’s a brief summary first (summary haters please just take a jog around the block while I write the next paragraph).

Lola gets a phone call from her boyfriend Manni. She was supposed to pick him up but was late because her scooter was stolen. He had to get the subway and accidentally left a bag containing 100,000 Deutschmarks on the train! The trouble is he owes this money to Ronnie, a really nasty character. Lola must raise the money and get it to him in just twenty minutes, and the clock is ticking! If she doesn’t get there in time, he says he will rob the store across the street… and she doesn’t want that.

This is a very inventive film with many techniques used to tell the story; even animation is employed to great effect. Add to that a great soundtrack and a very clever story and you have a rather good film. As far as performances go, both Franka Potente as Lola and Moritz Bleibtreu were excellent.

I love the way a possible future is played out every time Lola bumps into someone, a great idea brilliantly executed. A little trivia I noticed in the credits; some of the songs used have vocals by Franka Potente… talented girl! I should point out that the film is in German with subtitles, so if you’re put off by that I would still watch it, trust me, it’s worth it. Over all, it’s easily the best film I’ve seen (so far) this year… Highly Recommended.

My score: 8.8/10

LINKS:
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0130827/
Trailer: http://www.zuguide.com/#Run-Lola-Run

3 comments:

Jack L said...

I loved this one, very inventive techniques, it's impressive waht was done with an apparently small budget!
Glad you enjoyed it as well!
excellent review as always!

Nick Lyons said...

Wonderful review. I, too, really liked this film. It's very original and I found the concept of three "runs" quite interesting. I thought my friend would like it, so I bought it for him on blu-ray for Christmas!

Nathanael Hood said...

I can't believe that I haven't seen this film yet!

I guess I'll have to *run* and go see it!

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Okay...I apologize for that. That was uncalled for...