Starring: Franka Polente and

Moritz Bleibtreu

Have you ever thought back to a particular day and wondered if perhaps just a small detail was changed the events of that day would have taken an entirely different course? It's an interesting proposition, one that is brilliantly explored by Tom Tykwer, in the German film Run Lola Run. Lola hit the big screen in the U. S. mid-June, and is still running in select theaters across the country.

Lola (Franka Polente) is a girl with a problem: her boyfriend, played by Moritz Bleibtreu, needs to deliver 100,000 German marks ($60,000) that he got from a drug deal to his boss by noon. However, through an act of fate he is separated from the money. As late delivery is not an option, he calls Lola, who agrees to meet him cross-town in 20 minutes. Unfortunately, her Moped got stolen; rather than despair she chooses to use her feet. She runs...and runs...and runs, hence the title of the movie. However, since showing up at the meeting point is pointless unless she has the money, she stops at the bank to ask her father for a quick loan Tykwer, who also wrote the screenplay, presents the rest of the story three times, each time with just one detail changed from the beginning of the plot. This results in three very different but equally intriguing outcomes.

Admittedly, the plot is a no-brainer and this movie lacks serious character development, and powerful dialogue. What makes this movie a winner is the interesting premise, amazing camera work, split second editing, spectacular animation, and a seat-vibrating techno soundtrack that's flawlessly integrated with the film. There are also some quasi-philosophical humor elements played out in the flashbacks. This film is for you if you are put off by Hollywood's formulaic shlock and desire to see something refreshing.

Run Lola Run is distributed in the US by Sony Pictures Classics. It is rated R, with running time of 81 minutes. The film is currently playing in Manhattan at Lincoln Plaza Cinemas (63rd and Broadway) and at The Angelica Film Center (Houston and Mercer).