Lola Versus Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Dumped before her wedding, Lola tries to find herself by making every possible bad decision with her friends, proving that self-discovery is really just a series of awkward dates and questionable hookups.

🍿 Lola Versus: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Sudden End to Wedding Plans

Lola, a 29-year-old living in New York City and working on her dissertation, is happily engaged to her boyfriend, Luke (Joel Kinnaman). Just three weeks before their wedding, Luke unexpectedly calls off the engagement, leaving Lola utterly devastated and her meticulously planned life in disarray. Her parents, Lenny (Bill Pullman) and Robin (Debra Winger), step in to help cancel the wedding, while Lola struggles to process the sudden, life-altering change and wallows in self-pity, uncertain how to move forward.

Navigating Single Life in New York

Reeling from the breakup, Lola leans heavily on her best friend, Alice (Zoe Lister-Jones), who attempts to pull her out of her melancholic state with nights out at singles bars and private parties. Lola attempts to adapt to life as a single woman for the first time in years, a process complicated by her approaching 30th birthday. Her journey is marked by a series of new romantic encounters and often self-destructive behaviors, as she tries to find stability, meaning, and a new identity outside of her former relationship. This period of experimentation leads to a number of awkward and revealing situations.

Complicated Relationships and Rebounds

Lola’s path to self-discovery takes several complicated turns. She begins a relationship with Henry (Hamish Linklater), who is also a friend of her ex-fiancé, Luke, adding layers of tension and betrayal to her social circle and internal conflict. Amidst this, Luke occasionally reappears, making attempts to reconcile, further confusing Lola’s emotional state. She also meets Nick (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), a quirky fish salesman, exploring different romantic avenues and trying to understand what she truly wants from love and life. These relationships, both new and old, force Lola to confront her own patterns and desires.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lola (Greta Gerwig): The protagonist who embarks on a turbulent journey of self-discovery after her fiancé abruptly calls off their wedding.
• Alice (Zoe Lister-Jones): Lola’s loyal and wisecracking best friend who offers support and comedic relief during Lola’s post-breakup struggles.
• Henry (Hamish Linklater): Luke’s best friend and a musician who becomes romantically involved with Lola, complicating her emotional recovery.
• Luke (Joel Kinnaman): Lola’s ex-fiancé who breaks off their wedding just weeks before the ceremony, setting off her crisis.
• Lenny (Bill Pullman): Lola’s unconventional and high-spirited father who offers quirky, free-love advice during her heartbreak.
• Robin (Debra Winger): Lola’s well-meaning but sometimes overbearing mother who tries to guide her through the emotional fallout of her broken engagement.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lola: “Everyone always says, “to love someone else, you have to learn, how to love yourself”. But I don’t know, after this year, I don’t think that’s true. I think to love yourself, you have to learn how to love other people.” – Lola reflects on her tumultuous year, arriving at a profound personal realization about the interconnectedness of self-love and loving others.
• Lola: “I learned everything I know about being a woman from 90210.” – Lola humorously and self-deprecatingly admits her naive and somewhat distorted understanding of relationships, influenced by popular culture.
• Alice: “I gotta go wash my Vagina.” – Alice delivers this blunt and unexpected line to Lola, showcasing her raw humor and providing comic relief amidst Lola’s emotional struggles.
• Nick: “I never set out to be a prison architect. It just happened that way.” – Nick, a quirky fish salesman, says this with deadpan sincerity on a date with Lola, revealing his unusual background and eccentric personality.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $252,603
• Worldwide Gross: $455,754

💥 Lola Versus Reviews

Personal Review

Oh man, ‘Lola Versus’ just *gets* it. I totally felt Lola’s pain and utter confusion when her life just imploded right before her eyes. Greta Gerwig is so good at playing that mix of heartbroken and totally lost, yet still somehow trying to pick up the pieces. I loved the scenes with her best friend Alice; their banter felt so real, like conversations I’ve had with my own friends when life’s a mess. It’s definitely not your typical romantic comedy, which I appreciated. It’s messier, more honest, and made me feel a lot of things – mostly, a sense of shared understanding for the chaotic journey of figuring things out in your late twenties.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of indie comedies and dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven stories about self-discovery”
  • “Those who appreciate Greta Gerwig’s ‘mumblecore’ era work”
  • “Audiences looking for a non-traditional romantic comedy”
  • “Young adults navigating post-breakup life and approaching 30”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content and promiscuity”
  • “Drug and alcohol use”
  • “Depiction of self-destructive behavior”
  • “Mature themes related to relationships and identity crises”
  • “Use of an outdated and potentially offensive term (‘deaf-mute’) by a character”

Professional Reviews

• The Indie Film Journal: “Greta Gerwig shines as Lola, delivering a performance that captures the chaotic essence of navigating heartbreak and self-discovery in your late twenties. The film offers a refreshingly raw and honest look at post-breakup life, steering clear of typical rom-com clichés to present a more authentic, albeit messy, journey. It’s a relatable and often humorous ride, buoyed by sharp dialogue and a genuine ensemble.
• Urban Cinephile: “While ‘Lola Versus’ attempts to offer a ‘real’ take on modern relationships, its protagonist, Lola, often veers into frustratingly self-absorbed territory. The narrative meanders, relying on quirky dialogue and contrived situations rather than substantial plot development. Despite a few genuine moments and strong supporting performances, the film struggles to make its central character truly sympathetic, leaving an impression of a wasted opportunity.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved how raw and real Lola’s emotional journey felt, especially her relatable struggle to find herself after a major life upheaval.: Many praised Greta Gerwig’s authentic performance and the film’s unflinching portrayal of the often-uncomfortable realities of dating and friendship in adulthood.

Overall Consensus: A divisive yet authentic portrayal of post-breakup life, celebrated by some for its raw honesty and Greta Gerwig’s performance, while others found its protagonist frustrating and its narrative meandering.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s title, ‘Lola Versus’, is a direct homage to ‘Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One’, the 1970 album by British rock band The Kinks.”
• “Zoe Lister-Jones, who plays Lola’s best friend Alice, also co-wrote the screenplay and served as an executive producer on the film.”
• “Greta Gerwig’s performance and the film’s overall tone are often associated with the ‘mumblecore’ independent film movement, which emphasizes naturalistic dialogue and performances, a style Gerwig was prominent in.”

🖥️ How to Watch Lola Versus?

Lola Versus is typically available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability and pricing, as offerings may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Lola Versus, you might like these similar films:

• (500) Days of Summer (2009): Explores a non-linear narrative of a relationship’s beginning and end, focusing on the male perspective of a breakup, similar to Lola’s journey of self-discovery after hers.
• Frances Ha (2012): Also starring Greta Gerwig and set in New York City, it delves into the challenges of navigating female friendships, identity, and career in one’s late twenties, resonating with Lola’s existential crisis.
• Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012): Released in the same year, this romantic dramedy follows a divorced couple trying to maintain their friendship, exploring the complexities of love and moving on after a significant breakup.
• Someone Great (2019): A modern take on post-breakup self-discovery, focusing on a woman’s emotional journey and the support of her close friends in New York City during a pivotal life transition.
• When Harry Met Sally… (1989): An iconic romantic comedy set in NYC that masterfully explores the nuanced line between friendship and love, featuring witty dialogue and relatable relationship dilemmas that fans of Lola Versus might appreciate.

🛒 Lola Versus Related Products

• Lola Versus Blu-ray Collector’s Edition: Experience ‘Lola Versus’ in stunning high definition with this special edition Blu-ray, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, and a director’s commentary that delves into the film’s unique approach to the romantic comedy genre.
• ‘Lola vs. The World’ Graphic Tee: A comfortable, stylish t-shirt featuring the iconic tagline ‘Lola vs. Sex, Love, The World.’ with a minimalist New York City skyline design. Available in various sizes and colors.
• Post-Breakup Playbook: A Guide to Thriving in Your Thirties (E-book): An inspiring e-book that offers practical advice and emotional support for navigating life’s challenges after a major breakup, echoing Lola’s journey of self-discovery and resilience. Includes exercises for self-reflection and personal growth.
• NYC Indie Film Locations Tour Gift Card: A gift card for a guided walking tour of iconic independent film shooting locations across New York City, including neighborhoods featured in ‘Lola Versus’ and other mumblecore-era movies. Discover the real-life backdrops of your favorite indie scenes.

🎧 Soundtrack

Lola Versus features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Would You Take It” – performed by Vex Ruffin
• “The World Has Turned And Left Me Here” – performed by Weezer
• “Suffer For Love” – performed by Adam Schatz

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Joel Kinnaman “Lola Versus” Interview [HD]

Ever wondered what it was like for Joel Kinnaman to work on ‘Lola Versus’? This short interview gives you a quick peek into his experience and thoughts on the film – I always find it fascinating to hear directly from the actors!

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