The Princess and the Warrior (April 3/02)

After the incredible success of Run Lola Run, it's no surprise that writer/director Tom Tykwer would want to create a film that's almost a polar opposite of that film. But with The Princess and the Warrior - which does prove that Tykwer is genuinely talented - he's crafted a film that's gorgeous to look at, but completely hollow and devoid of compelling characters.

Franka Potente (the star of Run Lola Run) stars as the princess of the title, a young woman who works at a mad house. Her day-to-day life is dull and routine, and we get the impression that that's exactly how she wants it. But when she crosses paths with Benno Furmann, a mysterious criminal, her life takes a wildly unexpected turn. Furmann's on the run (literally) for stealing some groceries, which distracts a truck driver, causing him to run over Potente. In the ensuing confusion, Furmann manages to make his way over to where Potente is lying, dying. In an increasingly common move, he manages to perform one of those on-the-spot tracheotomies using only a knife and a straw. Cut to some time later, and Potente is now determined to find Furmann and thank him (this is just a guess, as we never do discover the reasoning behind Potente's stubborn need to locate Furmann). The rest of the film essentially consists of a series of misadventures as Furmann alternates between hating Potente and merely tolerating her presence.

The Princess and the Warrior is an exceptionally good-looking film, with Tykwer's skillful direction providing a unique and colorful perspective on the world. However, beyond that, the film never really progresses to any kind of involving level. His two central characters remain enigmatic and mysterious throughout the film, so it's almost impossible to identify with them or even relate to their actions. Tykwer never allows us to become attached with either of these people, choosing instead to keep us at arms length throughout.

And at a running time of over two hours, that sort of structure makes for some serious pacing issues. What it really boils down to is various parts of The Princess and the Warrior are more entertaining than the whole. For instance, there's a blind character at the asylum where Potente works that's just fascinating - all the more so considering he's actually played by a sightless man. But for every character like that, there's a few more that never add up to much (the psychotic that has a twisted relationship with Potente, for example. We never find out why Potente continues to sexually gratify this man, a person she clearly has no interest in otherwise.)

But again, the look and style of The Princess and the Warrior almost makes it worth checking out. Tykwer's got an exceptional eye and should he ever make a film with a coherent storyline, I've no doubt it'll be amazing.