Run Lola Run (1988)

Written and directed by Tom Tykwer, this is a German film that takes a somewhat experimental approach. Like a student art film, it’s quirky and doesn’t follow standard narrative conventions. 

Lola (Franka Potente) needs to raise 100,000 Deutschmarks in 20 minutes to save the life of her boyfriend Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu). She has to run across the city and acquire the funds along the way. But, as with Groundhog Day, we see her repeat this narrative multiple times in her attempts to get it right.

It’s a great idea, but the execution is all over the place. At one point in the repeating sequence, live action is briefly replaced by animation. It’s also noticeable that one of the cameras produces higher-resolution footage than one of the others, making for an uneven mix. It’s unclear whether this is intentional, to vary the visual texture, or merely the result of poor production values.

Some of the acting is hammy, too. Overall, you feel it had potential that was never realised. But the central concept – of Lola running to the rescue – is a powerful one.