Long long ago, in a state far far away (Massachusetts), I was discussing Run Lola Run with someone who had seen it in a theater. He and I waxed enthusiastic about the concept, the editing, and the performance by Franka Potente. Then he told me what happened while he was watching it. Halfway through, the guy sitting behind him exclaimed, in a surprised tone of voice:
“Damn, that bitch just won’t stop running!”
Well, yes.
Run Lola Run shows us the events that take place in roughly 20 minutes. Lola receives a phone call from her somewhat whiny boyfriend Manni, who has just managed to misplace 100,000 marks while completing a triangular trade of some kind involving cars, diamonds, and cash. The man to whom Manni was taking the money is not going to be pleased. Unless Lola figures something out, Manni is going to rob a store to get the money. Given how well his life of crime is going so far, that’s not likely to end well.
So Lola comes up with a plan, and starts to run. Watching her run, I can’t imagine why it’s supposed to be an insult to tell someone that they run like a girl. In a slightly grungy tank top, pants, and boots, Lola takes off down the stairs and across town to save Manni’s life. I don’t know how much running Potente had to do to make this film, but Lola always looks strong and powerful as she’s running. She’s never out of breath and never has to stop because of a stitch in her side or a broken heel. She’s desperate for the money, but she’s not just flinging herself down the street. She’s fast and measured in her strides. And yes, she just won’t stop running.
As the film progresses, she’s not afraid to pick up a gun if necessary. It’s not because she’s violent, it’s because she’s about action, not hesitation. Do I understand why she’s in love with Manni? No. He’s a twit. But she loves him, so she’s not going to stop until he’s safe.
Did I mention she also has a scream that shatters glass?
I don’t know German cinema from a hole in the wall, but apparently they have entire movies with no people of color in them just like we do here. So the filmmakers get a demerit for diversity in casting, but we’re also spared any jarring negative stereotypes. (It’s a lemons and lemonade thing, work with me here…)
Run Lola Run may not be an action movie in the purest sense. There is no combat or competition, unless you count racing against the clock. However, it is a movie about an unstoppable woman in action, and it’s damn beautiful to watch her go. It doesn’t quite rise to mythic level, but I give it a solid three stars.
This post was originally published on Heroine Content, a feminist and anti-racist movie blog that ran from July 2006 to May 2012.
I’ve often wondered if her glass-shattering scream is a reference to the German classic film “The Tin Drum”, in which a little boy also has this ability. The boy also managed to stop time for himself, in a way, by refusing to grow up after his third birthday. A tenuous connection, but possible.
>> “Halfway through, the guy sitting behind him exclaimed, in a surprised tone of voice: ‘Damn, that bitch just won’t stop running!'”
Huh?
A: How can that possibly be a surprise in a film called “Run Lola Run?” (Especially since the German title translates even more to the point as “Lola Runs.”).
It’s like watching Mars attacks and being surprised that the Martians won’t stop attacking.
B: In what alternate universe can it possibly be deemed a problem? (Which I won’t expound on since Skye’s already done such a good job of it).
>> “So Lola comes up with a plan, and starts to run.”
Even better, after coming up with a Plan A, she improvises when she has to, and comes up with a Plan B all off the top of her head; she’s endlessly decisive and quick-thinking.
>> “Watching her run, I can’t imagine why it’s supposed to be an insult to tell someone that they run like a girl.”
There aren’t many times we get to say that something “sorts the women from the girls” – but maybe this is one of them. Lola doesn’t run like a girl – she runs like a woman.
Nice. I loved “apparently they have entire movies with no people of color in them just like we do here”. And I loved the comment about the Martians.
This is a pretty good film. I don’t know why she likes Manni, either.
I got your stickers; they’re great.
Great review of Run Lola Run.
I originally saw it at the cinema in German with subtitles, which was great but the DVD I purchase is dubbed. Ugh! Beware.
ADG