Run Freytag Run!
Indeed, the concept of the movie was brilliant. Lola just keeps on running. You can almost picture Lola running up this pyramid. First, the exposition takes place when Lola receives that phone call and becomes aware of the situation. Then comes the complication--- how is she going to get $100,000 to Manni in twenty minutes? The rising action takes place as she's trying to find the money. Each time she dies or she doesn't complete her mission, she falls back down the pyramid. Finally, on her third attempt, after winning more than enough money at the casino, she makes it in time to give the money to Manni, which is the climax. However, once she gets to the top of the pyramid, she simply slides back down as she finds out that Manni got the money back already (denouement). Then there's almost a cliffhanger when Manni asks Lola what's in the bag. Overall, Freytag's pyramid works quite well in this story with a few variations. As a regular audience member, I thought the movie was interesting-- not the typical movie that moves from point A to point B. It was more like point A to B, C, or D, which puts a nice twist to it. Perhaps, I will give Blade Runner a watch now.
Comments
The third act is that of the climax, or turning point, which marks a change, for the better or the worse, in the protagonist’s affairs. If the story is a comedy, things will have gone badly for the protagonist up to this point; now, the tide, so to speak, will turn, and things will begin to go well for him or her. If the story is a tragedy, the opposite state of affairs will ensue, with things going from good to bad for the protagonist.
Climax is not always the endpoint but rather a turning point.