Introduction:
“Run Lola Run” is a movie about a young woman in Germany who has been given twenty minutes to obtain 100,000 Deutschmarks in order to save her boyfriend. It’s a German action movie that takes place on the streets of berlin. It is directed by Tom Tykwer. The main actors in the film are Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu and Herbert Knaup. The aim of this paper is to analyze the film revealing the plot, its dimensions, and various cinematic aspects such as cinematography, editing and use of sound. This review will also reveal the various pros and cons of the film.
Brief summary of the plot:
The main plot of the film is divided into three major “runs”. Each of these runs offers three different versions of how Lola spends 20 minutes running across the street in an effort to find 100,00 Deutschmarks to save her boyfriend. All the runs begin from the same scene, but take a different direction resulting into three different outcomes.
Criteria:
The use of reality in this film is critical talking point in this movie. Throughout the film, most of the setting takes place in the streets of berlin. The street is portrayed as calm, and less crowded than in reality. However, this can be interpreted as the director’s choice to put emphasis on the hurrying nature of Lola and divert attention from the people in the streets.
The film is action-packed. It keeps the audience attentive and always wondering what will happen next. Lola’s run throughout the film is high-octane and mission driven. The missions in the runs are deviously and cleverly plotted. The speed and action in the movie is accompanied by techno music in the background. This portrays a young and free likeable spirit from the characters.
All the characters in the film are well suited to their roles. This is emphasized by the choice of their ages, appearances and use of body language. The characters are neither too perfect nor grotesque, they are just normal people. This gives the film a perfect realistic setting that the audience can easily identify with.
Analysis:
The cinematography of the film is done in a professional way and does not disturb the audience in the way it was shot. There are no unconventional shots in the movie. The movie has employed the use of close-ups as way to put emphasis of emotions of the characters and certain objects. For example, the use of a red as a starting point of all the runs.
Editing in the film can be described as traditional. It does not interfere with the special and timely relations within each scene. However, the director has employed numerous editing tactics such as use of a free ranging camera, use of closer framing in scenes that have dialogues and more rapid film editing.
The use of sound is very critical. During her runs, Lola relies a lot on the way different sounds are used. However, the most significant sound is in the dialogues. Furthermore, there are existences of many sounds that play a critical role in the film. This includes, the phone ringing, ticking sound of the clock, traffic noises and gun shots.
The film has both pros and cons. It portrays free will that people have in their life. It is also portrays a very critical aspect of humanity, love. However, the film has a setback. The fact that Lola is in love with a small-time drug dealer may send a message that it is alright to get engaged with people of suspicious characters.
Conclusion:
This very interesting film is worth sitting down and watching through the entire 81 minutes. It is done professionally and the plot develops in stages revealing new details each time.
