Run Lola Run

It is interesting how a film can remind you of parts of other films, and yet be totally unique. In this instance, Run Lola Run can be described as a cross between Sliding Doors and Crank. But its presentation is remarkably unique (and since it is contemporary with Sliding Doors and 5 years before Crank we can only speculate about influences). We open with Lola receiving a call from her boyfriend that he is in a big pinch, having lost 100,000 marks of his gangster boss's money. He has 20 minutes until the meet and no options. Lola jumps into action. As the story progressed, I realized that it was moving altogether too fast toward resolution to sustain an 80 minute run time. In a mediocre movie, this is where a plot device is introduced and causes the viewer to roll their eyes and start thinking about dinner. Here, we get a plot device that works and is engaging. Part of the success comes from the glimpses of story that we see of minor characters that Lola interacts with. She bumps into a woman pushing a stroller and we see a 10 second series of still photos showing the woman's life over the next 6 months. Not really essential for the story arc, but interesting and well placed none-the-less. And in the end, we are satisfied with both timing and resolution, as is expected in a quality film.
4 stars (out of 5)