Must See Movie Monday - Run Lola Run

Film: Run Lola Run

Released: 1998

Rating: R

Director: Tom Tykwer

Staring: Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu

Short Summary: Lola's boyfriend, Manni, has lost a very large amount of money on a subway train which belongs to his unscrupulous employer. Lola has 20 minutes to raise the funds and meet Manni before he robs a store to get the money himself. 

Why It's A Must See Movie

Alright friends this is my first foreign film choice. Prepare yourself to read subtitles. Hence, I will first give you a tip about watching foreign films and reading subtitles. It's not a difficult as you think. After awhile something in your brain clicks so that you can easily watch the action on the screen a read at the same time. So no worries. You can do it. In fact you must because you would be missing out on watching this must see tension packed German film.

The truly awesome element of Run Lola Run is the concept. The story don't just center around Lola's 20 minute time limit to keep her boyfriend from getting in more trouble than he is already in. That fact would probably make the movie exciting in itself. However, the films story adds a second layer. Lola life is presented to the viewer as a video of game of sorts. Every time Lola fails to complete her goal the game starts over and the audience gets a new 20 minute tale. There are a few key characters that Lola runs into consistently in each journey, and then you get to see each time how those characters contact with her changes their lives as well as Lola and Manni's story. This concept is one of the coolest things ever in my opinion. 

To demonstrate the film's video game theme the film uses visual imagery including animation, the use of different cameras, and stylistic filters. The actors in it are quite brilliant. Especially Franka Potente and Moritz Bleibtreu who have only a very short time in the beginning of the film to make you care about the fate of Lola and Manni. To add more fun to the adventure, Run Lola Run has an awesome soundtrack. Most of the songs are spoken word set to awesome beats. It's probably one of my favorite soundtracks. I even choreographed a dance to one of the songs once. Watch this movie. It's a great adventure and you'll enjoy the ride.