Run Lola Run

In Run Lola Run there are many interesting aspects to the story which fit the classic fairy tale plot. First of all there is Lola and she has a task. This is to save Manni by getting 100,000 marks in 20 minutes. This task seems a little daunting, but she has to do it to save his life. This type of gender role reversal works for this film, even though it is the opposite of the classic version.

            There is also the repetition of the #3 again. Lola has 3 chances to save her lover from being killed. Even though on one of the tries she herself dies, while trying to save him.

There is also this idea of royalty which we can see by the bank security guard’s statements.  The first time she comes to the bank he calls her the “house princess.” This is our first hint or her “royalness”. Then he makes references to queens on her second trip to the bank. Then finally in the last  round he says “So you made it at last…” It is as if he knows she is on her 3^rd try to save her boyfriend. At this point we know it is going to be a happy ending.

            Which it is. They both live on the third round and due to their luck they both were able to get the money in the 20 mins. Now they have all of Lola’s winnings from the casino to share.

Pans Labyrinth

This movie was a bit gory for my taste, but I still saw many aspects to the classic fairy tales that we read earlier in the semester.

The idea of magic realism was very strong in this movie. The first thing that comes to mind is the magic chalk that can create doors to go any place else. I thought this was really interesting. The magical creatures were bizarre as well. The huge faun and the monster with eyes in his hands. Also the fairies. It was interesting because we were just supposed to view it and accept it, the way children read fairy tales. Although in the harsh world that Ofelia lives in it is hard to believe that these things can be real.

Another aspect of the fairy tale is the characters. In this story we have this young girl with out a father figure, and has a evil step-father. This is in contrast with some of the stories we read, but it still fits.

The number 3 comes up many times in this film. The 3 tasks she needs to complete. There were 3 stones she had to put in the frogs mouth, and 3 boxes to choose from to get the knife.

Finally there is a happily ever after in a way. She hates her life in the real world so even though she dies it is meant to be a happy moment (I think). Also the evil step-father is killed. The poor baby is still alive and in the real world, but he is being taken care of by Mercedes, so its good.