132. Lola; movie review

 

LOLA

Cert 15

79 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, violence

It was kismet. Only hours after demolishing the found-footage genre following my encounter with The Outwaters, I was rather taken with Lola.

But this is rare because the 'discovered recordings' were not of supernatural horror.

The tapes in Andrew Legge's movie are from The Second World War and were made by sisters Martha (Stefanie Martini) and Thomasina (Emma Appleton).

And the latter is a genius scientist who, in 1938, has created... a time machine!

So, both women can see what the future holds and, aside of music from the likes of David Bowie, there is the terrible destruction wreaked by Hitler's Nazis.

As war begins and bombing raids start, the temptation to prevent the mass killing becomes irresistible.

But what effects will doing so have on the future? And should the time machine, known as Lola, really be offered to Britain's war office?

The answers are rather surprising.

Lola may be a low budget film but its makers use their cash well. The premise of their story may be fantasy but they merge in clever scenes of doctored real footage which are of Forrest Gump standard.

There is also a strange elicit relationship undercurrent which keeps the audience guessing throughout.

Indeed, I was engaged enough to forgive the inevitable continuity issues which come with every found-footage film.

So, Lola isn't perfect but it certainly is praiseworthy and Legge deserves praise for giving the genre a much-needed shot in the arm.

Reasons to watch: Very different type of found footage

Reasons to avoid: Continuity issues

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None 

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? Professor Ron Mallett from the University of Connecticut in the US claims to have written a scientific equation that could be used to create a device that takes people back in time. The Physics expert told CNN that he's already built a prototype to illustrate how the key component of his machine would work.

The final word. "I wanted to do a period found-footage movie. I loved the idea of these sisters outside the time they are in. And I loved the idea of doing a time-travel movie but a slightly different version as LOLA is not a time machine.”