MovieChat Forums > Lola rennt (1999) Discussion > Why give the bum a gun?

Why give the bum a gun?

posted 15 years ago by cypher_191289
17 replies | jump to latest

I like this film, I get the whole internal logic to the three lives etc
But why give the homeless guy the gun?
Why even ask for it?
I just can't get round that at all, if it's just a way of making you wonder what happened to the homeless guy, why is it just so unnatural? As fantastical as the film is, the characters are logical, they wouldn't take all that money off someone desperate enough to do anything because he has nothing then give him and gun and turn your back on him, would they?
Any theories?

[–] puschit-1 15 years ago

My theory:
Manni felt bad for the hobo because that guy got lucky and then Manni had to take it back. Manni, in turn, had incredible luck that he found him again. So he gives him the gun. The hobo can sell it or maybe try to rob some money, whatever, it's a chance. It's a make good for the loss.
Now, why doesn't the hobo use the gun to rob the 100.000 off Manni? And why didn't Manni think about that possibility?
Well, Manni DID think about it. The thing is: Yes, it's an unusual thing that the hobo asks for the gun and kindof naive of Manni to hand the gun over. But that's exactly why he did it. Manni had trust in that guy. He probably also felt that he had good karma (or something along the line). Note that the third segment is the kind of "spiritual" one. Lola closes her eyes and runs around randomly because she doesn't know what to do (and before that she seemed to pray to god which she usually doesn't do "please, help me, just this one time"). Not only she doesn't get hit by the truck, she also realizes that money that she should go to the Casino. Manni is somehow linked to that. He had luck in his own way. And like Lola (holding hand with the guard and thus saving his life) Manni also tries to help other people, even if that means risking his money and life again.

I hope this makes sense. You might think this is srange. But I think I would do the same as Manni. I would have a bad feeling of course but I would give him the gun, too. Trusting that my honesty and generosity would impress him so much that he won't stab my back. After all there is some dignity in everybody of us, even in homeless people. Sometimes they can be more human than we are.
Although, I would most likely have stripped the gun off all ammo before handing it over, though.

[–] AleafFalls 15 years ago

I think the most logical and rational way out (i can't believe noone brought this up)karma, guilt and all of that, is simply to throw the gun down the street, granting the request, buying time and not risking your life... win-win right?
It just seems like a very irrational move not only to gamble your life on a hobo, but to leave a piece of evidence, prints ( i mean homeless guy wasnt just going to put it in his bag for sake of that memory) in hands of soon-to-be criminal. Not only is he risking getting shot, but essentially he is asking for cops to come looking for him, (prints and hobo's confession about the bag) and to stretch it a bit further- wrath of the boss, which as the guy points out, is inescapable. and all that just because he felt bad for taking something that was stolen (hobo was running away) from him? Hell, im surprised that it even got that far. more likely scenario would result in homeless guy getting shot without direct confrontation. plus it is unlikely that a man on a bike, furiously pedaling would even hear (much less consider stopping)the click of the trigger in the heat of the chase. meh.

I was disappointed with this film, I was expecting a bit more after hearing so many good things about it.

[–] hubcap18 15 years ago

I totally thought the bum was going to shoot Manni in the back as soon as he turned away. Maybe the best option would be to unload the gun and then give it to the bum. That way, the worst the bum can do is throw it at Manni. It would hurt, but he would live.

I know who I am! I'm a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude!

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] century-letters 14 years ago

Yeah, I don't understand why the hobo didn't use the gun to get the money back from Manni.

But anyway.

[–] nothrowdown1009 14 years ago

Manni is not a over rational internet user, he goes from the gut

And manni no longer needed the burden of carrying a gun

[–] mark_g_1 14 years ago

lol maybe its just me but i thought the bum wanted to kill himself...without losing money he would never have or maybe he goes to rob the bank i duno use your imaginations people come up with it yourself

[–] frozenorchids 14 years ago

I was under the impression the bum was intending on robbing that place that Manni was going to rob, personally.

[–] turiya-movie 13 years ago

There are several points here:

1. Remember that the movie plays in Germany, where it is illegal to own, let alone carry a gun, so Manni giving it up is a very strong hint that he has taken the first step in becoming an honest citizen again.

2. Manni does think about whether the homeless will use the gun against him, but after scrutinizing him for a very long time, Manni decides to trust him.

3. About the consequences some people raised (procecution through fingerprints (which is highly unlikely once the homeless has picked up/used the gun), angry gangster boss, ...) well, Manni isn't the brightest tool in the shed, and he certainly does not plan to much in advance.

4. Homeless people are percieved a bit differently over here, to. Remember that Germany has a very tight social scurity net. Pretty much the only way to become really homeless is to be an extreme alcoholic. That also means that the homeless guy is much more likely to try to rob the next snack shop (They also sell beer and booze)

[–] tinoynk 13 years ago

I don't mind it so much, but if I were him I'd take out the clip and throw it to the other side of the street so I could get away, but he still has a gun and ammo to do what he pleases with.

_____________________________________________________________

Live and learn. At least we lived.

[–] yigit007 13 years ago

From what I found on the Internet, it is (and it was, in 1998), in fact, legal to own (or carry) a gun in Germany as long as the owner (or carrier) has an appropriate license for it.

But, of course, it's a lot easier for Manni to get an unlicensed firearm from the gang he's in.

[–] puschit-1 11 years ago

A licence he wouldn't get at his age and with his background.

[–] deadbunny28 13 years ago

manni's gun plays a role in all three scenarios, that scene sets up the for the sequel "Run Hobo Run"

[–] Violently_vivified 12 years ago

My guess was the homeless guy didn't know how to use the safety lock and Manni thought he would get away before he figures that out anyway...win-win situation.

[–] chris_ninety1 12 years ago

Plus bear in mind it was in broad daylight (we actually see people walking past when Manni runs off). By this stage Manni has nothing really to lose by shooting the tramp given his predicament, but the tramp would certainly be best served saving whatever plans he has for the gun for later.

[–] MrBullo 10 years ago

In fact Manni was in a direct line with another female pedestrian - the bum may have killed either one of them if he had tried his hand at pulling the trigger.

[–] Seth_Rogue_One 9 years ago

Yeah that was beyond retarded, I expected him to pop a hot one in his dome there... And he'd deserve it for being such a dumb ass too

I'm gonna refuse you an offer you can't make