Lola (1981)

100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
81% of users liked it
(1,486 ratings)

Part of Rainer Werner Fassbinder's The Entire History of the German Federal Republic trilogy, Lola stars Barbara Sukowa in the title role, a seductive cabaret singer and dancer in the 1950s who is romantically involved with Von Bohm (Armin Mueller-Stahl), a straight-as-an-arrow building inspector.… More Part of Rainer Werner Fassbinder's The Entire History of the German Federal Republic trilogy, Lola stars Barbara Sukowa in the title role, a seductive cabaret singer and dancer in the 1950s who is romantically involved with Von Bohm (Armin Mueller-Stahl), a straight-as-an-arrow building inspector. Recently appointed Building Commissioner, Von Bohm is committed to eradicating corruption. Consequently, he's given quite a shock when he is called into inspect the brothel where Lola works and discovers her dancing there. With that, Von Bohm is left to question whether he is more loyal to the woman he loves so passionately or the career he believes in so strongly. The other entries in the trilogy are Veronika Voss and The Marriage of Maria Braun. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Aug 20, 1981 Wide
Studio: United Artists Classics

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
A bitter, brisk, sometimes abruptly moving satire about the West German economic 'miracle' of the 50's.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
I'm delighted to see someone running Rainer Werner Fassbinder's Lola. Actually, I'm just delighted to see someone running any Fassbinder film.
Michael Scheinfeld, TV Guide's Movie Guide
It's a political fairy tale about duplicity and hypocrisy in which everything, including ethics and human flesh, is for sale, and self-esteem and worth is measured only in terms of money.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's wonderfully provocative as only Fassbinder can be.
Tom Dawson, Film4
Again Fassbinder returns to Germany's past to reveal the workings of its stagnant moral present to powerful effect, boldly combining melodramatic storytelling, vibrant performances, garish visuals and searching analysis.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Lola is a well-acted film which showcases Rainer Werner Fassbinder's laser-sharp social consciousness.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
[An] interesting and rewarding experience for those who can appreciate German cinema and great directors at work.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

I really didn't know what to expect from this, but I ended up really liking it. Having very little knowledge of post-war German social life, a lot of the plot was a little harder to pick up on, but the characters required no prerequisites. Barbara Sukowa's performance is… More
I really didn't know what to expect from this, but I ended up really liking it. Having very little knowledge of post-war German social life, a lot of the plot was a little harder to pick up on, but the characters required no prerequisites. Barbara Sukowa's performance is truly great, her intensity was really something else. I was a fan of the odd transitions and crazy coloring every time Armin Mueller-Stahl was getting mad. I can't say that it's a movie i'll watch over and over, but it's extremely well made and unique.
Eric B

I'm a bit of a beginner when it comes to Fassbinder, but "Lola" strengthened my suspicion that he's not destined to be a favorite of mine. There's a lurid, degenerate quality to this tale which just dragged me down, and not in a good way. I much prefer… More
I'm a bit of a beginner when it comes to Fassbinder, but "Lola" strengthened my suspicion that he's not destined to be a favorite of mine. There's a lurid, degenerate quality to this tale which just dragged me down, and not in a good way. I much prefer "The Blue Angel" over this modern revision and, for that matter, I also prefer Jacques Demy's 1961 film titled "Lola." The lighting of "Lola" is stylized to incredible extremes -- the film is like a bowl of Easter jelly beans, as dim rooms glow with garish pinks, greens, purples and blues. This eventually becomes tiring. The defocused dissolves used as scene transitions also seem rather tacky. The acting is excellent, however, and the story's portrait of corrupt bureaucracy still has resonance. And on two trivial notes, I greatly enjoyed the minor character of the simpering secretary (I wish we had seen more of her), and it was quite endearing to see the lead actor play some decent violin!
Jared H

Great quirky performances, but I'm not so hot on the story.