Here we are—my favorite foreign film. Now, in fairness to the many great filmmakers worldwide, there are a lot of foreign films I have not seen and I’m sure some would have made my list if I had seen them. But this is my list, based on what I have seen. And here we are at number 1: Run Lola Run.
Run Lola Run is like a 90 minute music video (remember when MTV played those?) with an engaging story line, real suspense and incredible music. This German film is best watched with subtitles because, unlike Brotherhood of the Wolf (my #3 pick), the dubbing sucks. It makes the film feel cheesy when it’s anything but.
Lola gets a call from her boyfriend, Manni, who needs $100,000 in twenty minutes (to replace the money he lost that belonged to a presumably unmerciful drug dealer.) He’s frantic. She insists that she will come through for him. 20 minutes. That’s the set-up of the film. Bring in the beat, and we’re off. Lola runs.
Franka Potente, who you probably saw in The Bourne Identity, is just the right combination of fragile and fierce. And she’s in good shape, which proves to be useful because, true to the name of the film, she runs a hell of a lot.
I know I’ve said something like “see this film” at the conclusion of all of these reviews, but I mean it: see this one. And then come back and tell me what you think.
Well, I think you’ve chosen wisely, and I second your decision! Besides the fantastic and perfect-for-the-film soundtrack, the spot-on acting, and Lola’s fabulous hair, I love that the movie deals so well with the concept of free-will vs. predetermination, and how our choices, however freely we think we make them, set off a chain reaction that affects the lives of others–and they have no say in that at all. It’s one of the most philosophical films without being didactic at all. In fact, the fast pace and adrenaline rush of suspense is the perfect cover for it. Oh, and the animation! I almost forgot what a great touch that was, too.
I agree, if you haven’t seen it, you must.
left by alisa on 03.07.2007 at 2:49 pm