The plot is rather simple. Lola (Franke Potente), whose flaming red hair makes her look like the Dr. Seuss version of Claire Danes, gets a desperate call from her petty criminal boyfriend Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu), who has lost a very serious bag of cash belonging to some very serious thugs. In his frantic state, Manni threatens to take potentially graver actions to remedy the situation, but Lola manages to convince him to give her twenty minutes to get to him with help. He agrees, and thus Lola runs.

      I'd hate to tell you more about what happens to Lola as she runs, because the movie is nothing if not a series of ecstatic surprises. Suffice to say that Run Lola Run makes good on the concept that the amazingly lame Gwyneth Paltrow vehicle "Sliding Doors" attempted to explore, and does so in an original funhouse style that hits you over the head and leaves you with a goofy smile on your face-- a sensory experience I haven't had at the movies since Trainspotting.

      Among Tykwer's most impressive innovations are a series of fast-forward photo sessions that allow us to see the hilarious fates of minor characters long after Lola's twenty minutes are up. Even more vital is the flawless integration of a techno music score so pivotal to the success of the film that it deserves top billing alongside the film's stars. As for the actors, I'm not sure how significant their contribution is (see Keanu Reeves in "The Matrix") but they certainly do what they need to do quite well. Franke Potente (what a fabulous name) is certainly a sight to behold in full stride during Lola's trademark runs, and otherwise brings a stirring fierceness to her role.

      Run Lola Run has an artsy introduction involving a soccer ball and a few other statements about fate along the way, but these pretensions aside, it really isn't about all that much. But, believe it or not, it really doesn't have to be-- Run Lola Run does such a good job grabbing you and exhilarating you, it feels selfish to ask it to be anything more.

Eric Lanyard, 1999