Run Lola Run (1998)

After her and her boyfriend botch a money delivery for some dodgy looking folk, Lola (Franka Potente) has twenty minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutschmarks, or there will be ‘consequences’. Run Lola Run is a madcap experimental thriller, complete with scenes of animation and a constant pulsing techno score, which adds to the madness.

The film shows us three different possible scenarios depending on Lola’s actions, and although my friend who I watched it with got frustrated with the ‘fake outs’ I wasn’t really sure how else you’d go about making the film. It’s a chase film that at eighty odd minutes isn’t long enough to outstay its welcome. Potente is a fine actress, in a role that reminds you of her part in the Bourne films a few years later, and she throws herself into the part, astounding you at Lola’s incredible energy to seemingly be able to run flat out for lengthy periods. But this is never an issue because Run Lola Run doesn’t take itself remotely seriously, and is also very funny in parts. It’s acquired something of a cult status over the years, and it’s easy to see why. 7.2/10