Runs like a woman but talks like a man.... (Run Lola Run (DVD))

Member Name: gillyman

Product:	Run Lola Run (DVD)
Date:	10/08/03 (122 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast paced, simple storyline

Disadvantages: language

Foreign language films have always been a bit of a no go area for me. There are so many decent films in English, why would I bother watching something where I have to read subtitles? I have a feeling you're probably already nodding your head in agreement.

Once in a while however, an exception comes along (to prove the rule? Possibly.) The most obvious recent example is Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon - if you haven't seen that then please pay your local video shop a visit as soon as you have finished reading (and rating) this op.

Less well known but also worthy of being regarded as an exception is the ingenious Run Lola Run. This German language film takes a thoroughly interesting premise and embarks on a high paced narrative in which it is unlikely that you will pay too much notice to the language issue (if you opt to watch it in the original German rather than using the wonders of DVD to listen in English).

The role of language is actually quite secondary in Lola. The story is told in a manner which is extremely visual and, with a straightforward storyline, it would probably be possible to understand most of what is going on even without any soundtrack.

The basic premise of the film is that shocking red haired Lola, misses picking up her boyfriend Manni, who has been entrusted with a deal involving smuggled diamonds. As a result he takes the train and manages to leave DM 100,000 behind when he gets off. A phone call to Lola puts her in the position of having to help him otherwise the bosses for whom he was doing the deal will kill him in 20 minutes time but how can this couple find DM 100,000 in 20 minutes?

Director Tom Tykwer presents 3 possible scenarios involving Lola running roughly speaking the same route 3 times, encountering the same people or events each time but with slight differences so that there are 3 entirely different outcomes.

The story is extremely fast paced, relentless action and is a
ccompanied by an extremely effective, thumping techno soundtrack. It is a story that is simple and easy to identify with - hopefully we all have someone in our lives for whom we would risk anything? Lola is thrown into this position and reacts in the only way she knows how - quick thinkingly she takes desperate measures to try to get her hands on the money and get it to her boyfriend.

The Director includes some extremely clever camera work, throws in a couple of interesting tricks such as the use of a cartoon Lola and the interchanging of use of film and video for scenes which Lola and Manni are in and out of respectively to convey the idea that everything that does not involve either of these two characters is merely a backdrop.

As a package this film works very well. The backdrop could just as easily be any city in the world; the language could be any language. The storyline is simple and doesn't need to explain the clear motives driving the characters. The soundtrack is superbly crafted and the characters are very believable. The 3 outcome premise (think Sliding Doors as a chase film rather than a romantic comedy) is clever and the repetition of images each time draws the viewer in.

The DVD extras are pretty much standard fare. You have the option of watching in German with English subtitles or English dub. There's a Director's commentary, original trailer, profiles of the Director and 2 lead members of the cast and a music video. Nothing mind blowing there I'm afraid!

Bottom line is that despite it being a foreign language film you can very easily watch it over and over. At a mere 77 minutes long (if you watch all the titles) its something that can easily be put on in the background and tuned in and out of. It is certainly worth adding to your collection - particularly when you find it as a cheapy or as part of a 3 for 10 pound deal or the like.

Recommended!

Summary: