Flashward.....only to flashback again

Our readings suggest that “Flash-forwards are used only occasionally in fictional films, usually to suggest a premonition or inevitability." Yet the fictional movie, Run Lola Run(Tom Tykwer,1999), which shown in class on Wednesday, used flash-forwards that ruled over two-thirds of the film. Instead of seeing the flash-forwards scenes in the film simply as premonitions, I view the flash-forward in Lola as glimpses into parallel moments in time within our universe. These parallel universe “scenes” seem to convey that with only one minor alternative decision or event made, alters greatly what occurs in the future. This entire film has a sort of action/reaction type feeling to it, and in the end I am given an existential outlook on even my own everyday routines. Although this film can seem a bit confusing initially, the audience later recognizes the conversation between the two main characters while they are in bed is a gateway to yet another “domino effect” scene. Additonally, the intro narration at the beginning of the film gives some insight to why the audience is experiencing the alternative scenes in Lola.

A movie that intrigues me pertaining to flashbacks is the Last Samurai (Edward Zwick, 2003). Here, Tom Cruise’s character has an immediate flashback after his fight that reminds him of what he has just experienced. Earlier in the movie, a Japanese fighter instructed Cruise’s character that he must fight without thinking. In this Ronin scene, Tom has executed what the Japanese character has warned him to do. . .hence, the needed flashback for the benefit of Cruise’s character.

The Ronin Scene


A film that shows a variety of flashbacks and flash-forwards is The Jacket (John Maybury, 2004). Since this character of Adrian Brody has premonitions of the future and has many flashbacks from his past, this movie seems to jump around a lot. This movie maybe a little harder to follow that Run Lola Run, so watching it more than once is advised. After the movie’s climax, the film’s ending scene happens to be a flashforward as well, yet this forward movement in time is not a premonition. Instead, it is the way Adrian Brody sees life after death.

The First time I Died Scene


Morgue Locker Vision Scene