Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14381 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-01-28
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: German
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 135 minutes

Special Features
16:9 Wide Screen
Region 2

Synopsis
From German director Tom Tykwer, whose energetic RUN LOLA RUN wowed audiences in 1998, comes this ethereal modern-day fairy tale. Hypnotizing German actress Franka Potente (RUN LOLA RUN, BLOW) stars opposite deft, volatile newcomer Benno Furmann. Using beautiful visuals involving ice cubes, underwater bubbles, rain, and the well-worn buildings of Wuppertal, Tykwer implements his signature filming style--a roving, curious, rapid camera that examines its subjects in extreme close up, follows letters into mailboxes, and soars over the nighttime city like a bird. The musical score and the impeccable use of sound complete the film's sensory excellence.
Bodo (Furmann) and Sissi (Potente) come together under strange circumstances: at the scene of an accident where Bodo saves Sissi's life after she is run over by a truck. Then he disappears. Sissi returns to her little room in the nursing ward of a psychiatric hospital where she works with mentally ill patients, one of whom is her own father. However, she cannot forget the man that saved her and has a powerful feeling that her life is inherently connected with his. Unable to pick up her life where she left it before the accident, she seeks out Bodo, who lives in a dilapidated house with his brother, and quickly establishes an steadfast bond with him.

Customer Reviews

Stunning!
I did A-Level German, and I had to write a 2000 word essay on an aspect of modern German life. I chose film, and my teacher recomended "The Princess and the Warrior" and "Run Lola Run" (Both in German, and to me, "Der Krieger und die Kaiserin" and "Lola rennt") This film was hard to understand at first, and some of the language was slightly complex, but the cinematography itself, the plot, camera work and the roles of the actors themselves was simply amazing! Franka Potente is very well known in Germany, and having seen quite a few of her films, I think this is her best!
The plot itself is very plausible, and has you believing in it, the anguish both Sissi and Bodo are going through and the tragedy in their lives. I highly recomend!

A beautifully made film that should change your life.
I can't recommend this film enough. The camera work is stunning with some of the best cinematography I've ever seen in a film. The music is not too intrusive, and gently lulls the viewer into another world featuring Sissi and her search for her ideal partner. The movie is a love story unlike any you will ever see again. I fell in love with this movie due to the strong characters, the theme, the music and the camera work. Franka Potente and Benno Fürmann are excellent and the acting/electricity between the 2 characters is believable. It's my favourite film. An outstanding piece of cinema directed by Tom Tykwer.

Thoughtful and Intelligent Filmmaking
I have to admit, I rented this one by accident, but it turned out to be a fortuitous accident. I wouldn't have discovered this kinetic, moving and enjoyable film otherwise. The performances were real, in the cinema verite sense, but also dead on contemporary. Cinematography, one of my personal gauges of quality, is of the highest caliber. The script may drag at times, but there is enough playfulness and artful thrust that the viewer doesn't have time to become acutely bored. Owes a bit to the Inmates taking over the institute genre, re King of Hearts and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest, but also draws on myriad other sources, including Goddard and other new wave directors. Would include it in the must rent category, though the buying option presents a more ambiguous dilemma
BEK