The film ‘Run Lola Run’ directed by Tome Tykwer depicts various themes associated with mise-en-scene. Each theme provides unique elements to the two major components of mise-en-scene; design and composition. Every scene is characterized by urgency, and by creating this mood, the film is able to convey a feeling of expectation through hinting at things to come. It is through expectation that, time, setting and character relationship are able to govern much of what unfolds during the course of the film.

Time seems to be a major reoccurring theme in Run Lola Run. The film emphasizes time constraint with every scene. Among other themes, the effect of time interaction is depicted in photographs of future events to take place in the lives of the people Lola encounters. The attention paid to time is evident in the constant reference to clocks; and the scenes depicting Lola running around the city only add to the pressure of making the twenty minute deadline given to Lola’s boyfriend Manni by his boss Ronni. The fast paced music compliments the tension faced by the Lola and Manni and grabs the viewer’s attention. The upbeat music never lets the audience forget the main characters goal of coming up with 100,000 marks within the allotted twenty minute time span. One specific instance occurs when a close up of Lola’s face as she’s thinking about various people to ask for help cuts to a shot of a ticking clock. The sound of the clock along with a visual of her father shaking his head “no” add to the emphasis on time. The depiction of time is evident in another scene when a shot of a gun in Manni's pocket as he walks towards the supermarket is shown. The shot of his gun creates tension as it is filmed for exactly eleven seconds. Although it may seem a very long time to be focused on something, the audience’s attention is grabbed; they can take in every detail and link the images and the tense, jumpy music together. The audience can link the gun and the super market together to see that because Manni is under a time limit, he is likely to rob the supermarket in order to get the 100,000 marks. This specific scene cuts back and forth from Manni entering the supermarket and Lola running down the road. Along with the supermarket scene, is a shot of a clock at one minute to twelve o’clock, the shot is held for three seconds, this is long enough for the viewers to take in the urgency of the situation. These specific scenes were singled out because they helped generate a sense of time, as well as set the mood, and at times suggested the characters state of mind.

Setting and the idea of space play vital roles in the film. The beginning of the film takes place inside and consists of an urgent telephone conversation between Manni and Lola. The interior setting on each end of the phone can be another visual metaphor for each characters state of mind. Manni is confined in a phone booth and is highly tense and anxious. Lola however, is in her apartment, which is bright with natural lighting, and the various broken Barbie dolls and an old-fashioned red telephone symbolizes Lola’s complex character. Each of these settings signifies the lack of space and time the characters have to come up with the 100,000 marks. The phone conversation scene can be contrasted with the end of the film in which the setting is exterior and the meeting between Lola and Manni takes place in an open and vast intersection where Lola waits. Manni is then shown stepping out into an open street from his boss’s car. This scene almost symbolizes liberation from the problem that confined Manni at the beginning of the film. The relationship between the actors and the space shown in these scenes, illustrate how setting can govern the social and physical significance of a film.

Characters within the film play specific and necessary parts in how the events unfold. Ronnie in particular, is a character that remains constant throughout the film. When the film shows him, he always seems to be dressed in black and wearing dark sunglasses, and is always silent and secure in his malicious manner. In then opening scenes of the film, Ronnie is shown silent, but threatening towards Manni. His relationship with Ronnie is completely opposite of Manni’s relationship with Lola. While Manni looks to Lola for care and support, he regards Ronnie with a fearful respect and under somewhat of a control. This is evident in the quick shots of Ronnie showing displeasure with Manni after holding out on cigarettes and in turn causes Ronni to head-butt him. The relationship between the characters creates a sense of tension as it foreshadows the ominous threat of death if Manni fails to come up with the 100,000 marks. Towards the end of the film we see the relationship between Ronnie and Manni change through the way they relate to each other. In the final scene, Manni steps out of the car and Ronnie seems to be pleased with Manni by pinching Manni’s cheek, indicating that he has done well by him. Manni on the other hand caresses Ronnie’s shoulder, once again showing a sense of respect, but more along the lines of relief. The end scene appears to bring to a close the chaos that has occurred since their last meeting, and Manni shows obvious signs of relief when he smiles. These scenes depict the progress made between the Ronni and Manni throughout the course of the film and clearly illustrate the psychological significance each hold toward one another.

In the end, the film winds up repeating itself three times, in three different scenarios, and the repetition found throughout the film make the reoccurring themes easily identifiable. The development of the characters relationships along with the setting and time constraints make the film very effective in contrasting the scenes and scenarios depicted in this excitingly inventive film.