MovieChat Forums > Lola rennt (1999) Discussion > Good movie, but can we all agree that Ma...

Good movie, but can we all agree that Manni is a complete idiot?

posted 13 years ago by kcmovieguy
13 replies | jump to latest

I enjoy a good "timelock" concept for movies just like anyone else. But Manni's complete stupidity kind of ruins some of the concept of this movie for me. His leaving the bag behind was stupid enough, but I can suspend disbelief for that. But it is his stupid plan to rob a grocery store in broad daylight with no planning at all that puts him into the moron category for me.

Compare the "timelock" for this movie (i.e. stopping stupid manni from robbing a grocery store) to other timelocks (i.e. aliens -getting off planet before nuclear reactor explodes * escape from new york - saving president before bomb in neck goes off * plus countless others)

Anyways I think Lola is almost as dumb as Manni for being with, what in real life would be, a low life loser.

[–] Zoomorph 13 years ago

Manni seems a bit mentally challenged but other than that their relationship seems genuine enough. Can't really blame Lola.

~ Observe, and act with clarity. ~

[–] moysant 13 years ago

I take it that in the end she realises he's a jerk and as they walk away and he asks her what is in the bag she smiles cos she's gonna ditch him and take her casino winnings. Or maybe I just hope so cos he IS an idiot and she is more proactive than him throughout the movie.

[–] AtoZ2014 9 years ago

Cute, sweet, nice, somewhat dependent on her, what's not to love.

[–] htturk 9 years ago

That was my take on the ending as well. I hope she did ditch him. He
was an anchor.

[–] redxherring 13 years ago

He makes mistakes under pressure. So does she. He doesn't seem that bright, but I think she really does love him... which doesn't make her dumb.

[–] deadbunny28 13 years ago

Well if the mob was going to kill me in 20 minutes I would probably be willing to rob anything...given the time frame it is not like most people would be able to come up with some elaborate bank robbery or something that quick...a grocery store seems like the safer bet...and i have to completely disagree with Lola being a moron, any girl who would go to those lengths for someone they love has my respect

[–] keystone29798 12 years ago

Manni is definitely challenged, but since there are tons of people like that I believed the character. He was also warm and the relationship with Lola was mutually loving and supportive. He never struck me as self-absorbed, just rationally stressed under the circumstances he'd created. The energy and the comedy kept me engaged and caring what happened to both of them. I'm speculating they're actually good for each other.

Maybe if the two opened a corner grocery store (with Lola's winnings) they could live to be grandparents. As long as they never get robbed.

[–] samishoward 12 years ago

I like to think that Manni and Lola will use her casino winnings to get out of crime and lead a life that's less dangerous. Then they could be happy together.

[–] candyshapedratpoison 12 years ago

It bothered me that he kept blaming Lola ("it's your fault...you weren't there") at the beginning, even though it was his fault that he lost the bag. And now she's supposed to help him no matter what. Then, at the end (of the third scenario), after she's been through all that trouble for him, he just acts like nothing happened. What a douche.

I'd ask you to play House, but you'd be a weird example for our kids.

[–] SamoanJoes 11 years ago

I think a lot of it has to do with both nerves and time. To be honest, the entire movie he seemed to be a pushover to me. When he forgot the bag because he was feeling nervous or perhaps not truly concentrating because he had to deliver it at a specific time. Also, come on. How many times have you almost forgotten your cell phone on a bus or subway? I have.

As for him robbing the store I guess the only excuse for that would be desperate times call for desperate measures.

[–] AndJustLikeThatItCame 10 years ago

Great film but I'm not going to take my eyes or hands off of 100k I owe a gangster until I hand it to him.

[–] hubcap18 9 years ago

HE really shouldn't have gotten into that situation (owing a criminal money) in the first place. Robbing a grocery store was just an act of desperation.

_______
The sun is shining... but the ice is slippery.

[–] kya1 9 years ago

HE really shouldn't have gotten into that situation (owing a criminal money) in the first place.

Yes, that is what makes him an idiot. It's like people who borrow from loan sharks - don't they see that once they borrow from someone like that, they will never again be free from them?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAIJ3Rh5Qxs