Even though I’ve only seen this movie one other time, it’s one of my favorites. There’s plenty to love about Lola. The premise is simple: Lola has twenty minutes to raise the money to save her boyfriend Manni’s life. Each failed attempt causes the clock to reset Groundhog Day-style. Except Lola doesn’t seem to remember she’s lived these twenty minutes before, as she often turns to the same useless source for help.
What I love about the movie is that it’s a love story. It’s about the power of love. Lola resets time and defies nature — by sheer force of will out of her love for Manni. The movie has an awesome techno soundtrack (one of my all time favorite movie soundtracks). Director Tom Tykwer uses animation and split screen, among other techniques, to compress time and give the movie a unique look and feel.
The World’s Most Indispensable Movie App
The RunPee app tells you the best times to
run & pee during a movie
so you don't miss the best scenes.
Download the RunPee app.
100% free (donation supported)
One of the coolest things about the movie is the way it briefly cuts away from Lola to show the audience the future of background characters via jump cut photographs. And the way those futures change in the different timelines.
I can hardly think of another movie where such minor characters get to have their stories told. I love that the film does this in such a breathless style as well, as if it is in just as much of a hurry as Lola, trying to keep pace with her, not wanting to take its eyes off her for too long.
Franka Potente’s Lola is the badass girlfriend you never had. With her expressive face and shocking red hair, she’s willing to walk in the fire and do whatever it takes to save the man she loves. It’s hard not to feel what Lola is feeling. That sympathy is part of what keeps you on the edge of your seat.
What people are saying
about the RunPee app.
May 15, 2020
Got this back when I was pregnant, but I’ll be keeping it forever, it’s just so handy. I don’t go to the movie theater that often (even back before quarantine when you actually could…) but I make sure the app and the movie list are all current and updated, cause it’s so handy! It’s great for running late cause you can read their summary, obviously awesome for bathroom or snack breaks mid movie, and I also love that it tells you if there’s anything after the credits which is very handy.
View all reviews
Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Download RunPee app
Although the movie is a scant eighty minutes, you feel like you’ve been on a journey by the end of it. Tykwer uses music, sound effects, and editing, to make you feel both the pressure Lola is under, and all the ground she is covering. It’s very effective. At one point, I found myself on the couch feeling compelled by the music to do SOMETHING, but not knowing what to do, feeling restless and helpless.
A few things to note: This is a foreign film, so there are subtitles. There is also some violence. I was a little more sensitive to the violence this time than I was the first time I watched it.
I was glad this movie lived up to my memory of it. I would recommend this to fans of Guy Ritchie, Alfred Hitchcock, and Rod Serling (with his show The Twilight Zone).
If you enjoyed this, you can find more movie reviews on this blog. And, of course, remember to get Peetimes from the RunPee app the next time you go to the movies.
Don’t miss your favorite movie moments because you have to pee or need a snack. Use the RunPee app (Androidor iPhone) when you go to the movies. We have Peetimes for all wide release films every week, including Wicked, Gladiator II, Red One, The Wild Robot and coming soon Moana 2, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, Kraven the Hunter, Mufasa: The Lion King and many others. We have literally thousands of Peetimes—from classic movies through today’s blockbusters. You can also keep up with movie news and reviews on our blog, or by following us on Twitter @RunPee. If there’s a new film out there, we’ve got your bladder covered.
Leave a Reply