Run Lola Run

In the movie, Run Lola Run, the audience is shown three different outcomes based on different encounters with the main character Lola. Lola is trying to save her boyfriend Manni by trying to collect one-hundred marks by a certain time. When looking at the kinetic style that the film uses, Rodger Ebert makes an interesting observation that this movie is almost like a video game. Ebert points out that Lola and Manni both die once until they eventually figure out how to “beat the game”.  

            Another interesting aspect of this film are the still-frames that are used when showing the futures of people Lola runs into. These still-frames show a multitude of futures for these characters. For example the women with the baby she runs into first, is shown getting her baby taken away, then the second time she wins the lottery and the third time she becomes religious. The whole time I was watching the film I tried to determine what all of these still-frames mean. I believe that the director wanted to show us that every interaction that Lola has is almost a butterfly effect. Each path that Lola takes has consequences and rewards for the people that surround her.

            I thought that this was a great film. With most foreign films it becomes strenuous to read the subtitles. I felt as though a viewer could watch this without subtitles and still get the main point and plot of this film. By really showing the audience what is happening through body gestures and other subtle clues, I feel the director has created a film with no barriers. The director did an excellent job of creating intriguing characters and more importantly an intriguing story.