The opening and closing scenes in 'Run Lola Run' directed by Tom Tykwer depict the growth or development in the relationships between characters, in particular that of the lead characters, Lola and Manni. The beginning and end of this film are linked by contrasts. The beginning is characterized by its urgency, the end for its more contemplative mood and eerie silences. The opening sequence is important as it creates a feeling of expectation through hinting at the things to come and sets the pace for the remainder of the film.The beginning of the film is set inside, consisting of a phone conversation between Manni and Lola which reveals the plot of the film very quickly - Manni has lost 100,000 marks and has twenty minutes to find the money or else he could be killed. Both interior settings are visual metaphors for the characters frame of mind.
Lola's apartment is bright and individual, symbolizing the complexities and independence of Lola's character through broken Barbie dolls, an old-fashioned red telephone and pet turtle.Manni however, is confined in a phone box and is extremely anxious. The phone box gloomily signifies a coffin, indicating Manni's ultimate fear of death. At the end of the film, the setting is exterior in a silent intersection where Manni smilingly emerges from a car into the open street thus symbolizing that he has been liberated from the confined nature of his earlier problems.After the film begins in cartoon with Lola running through the spiral of time, the film then shows dialogue between Lola and Manni which conveys Lola as the dominant, independent, self-assured individual in the relationship contrasting to Manni who is the opposite, needing Lola to depend on and lead him. This relationship contrasts to that at the end where Lola is speechless and reserved and Manni is assuring her that everything is okay.
The way he acts towards her at the end of the film suggests that he is now the one consoling or comforting her.It is not the characters themselves, however, which have changed but their circumstances. At the beginning of the film Lola seemed almost to be mothering Manni whereas at the end he seems to be playing the father figure she lacks. Their character roles seem to have been reversed thus showing the significance of the beginning and ending scenes of the film to their relationship. Ronnie, as a character, remains constant throughout the film.
He is always dressed in black wearing sunglasses, shaven-headed and is always completely silent and secure in his malicious character.In the opening section, Ronnie is shown as silent and threatening. His relationship with Manni is the opposite of Manni's relationship with Lola - Manni looks to Lola for love and support and depends on her whereas he regards Ronnie with a fearful respect with him being under Ronnie's ominous control. This relationship creates a sense of urgency as it foreshadows the threat of the death of Manni if he fails Ronnie. At the end of the film we see the development of the relationship between Ronnie and Manni through the way they relate to each other.Ronnie is evidently pleased with Manni and indicates this by a mere pinch of Manni's cheek, while Manni affectionately touches Ronnie's shoulder.
The end scene appears to bring to a close the chaos that has been happening between their last meeting, and Manni shows obvious signs of relief when he smiles. Although the film repeats three times in three different scenarios the main contrasts and developments in the relationships between the characters are illustrated in the opening scenes and concluded in the final sequence.Numerous times between the scenarios a scene was shown where Lola and Manni are in bed and Lola questions Manni's love for her. In the final scene it spears that he has finally proved this love and there is no need for Lola to question this again.
The reason this film is so effective is the way in which there a numerous links and contrast between the opening and closing scenes in particular, the relationships between characters.
