MovieChat Forums > Lola Versus (2012) Discussion > Lola Versus What?

Lola Versus What?

posted 10 years ago by dcavalli
3 replies | jump to latest

I had wanted to see this in the theater since I'm a Greta Gerwig fan,but it vanished before I had the chance to see it.

When "Lola Versus" was released on DVD, I ordered it through Netflix. The film wasn't that good. I didn't understand what the film was trying to say. Gerwig also played a character who is cheated on in Whit Stillman's "Damsels in Distress" (2010), which was a far superior film.

In recent weeks, the HBO channels have been airing "Lola Versus."

I am still trying to figure out why it's called "Lola Versus." The film poster and trailer portray her "versus" sex, love, and the world. She is not fighting or rebelling against these things during a down period in her life. They may cause her pain and stress as she is about to exit her 20s, but "versus" seems like the wrong word.

Of course, if the film had a different title, it still wouldn't have made it a better film.

[–] solatisa 10 years ago

I felt it was just a clever title, that makes the person think, as it is unnatural to have the word versus without a follow up noun or verb. It lets you fill in the blank and contemplate the titles meaning, getting people interested and talking -- as you did. For me, that is what the title is, a witty English manipulation that is in the eye of the beholder and is sure to get people talking about the movie. Here is the blanks I would fill in:

Lola vs.
1. Her wedding
2. Her breakup
3. Her parents
4. Her friends
5. Her ex-fiancé
6. Her boyfriend
7. Her casual self
8. Her world
9. Her self
10. Her self-acceptance

Another idea could be like Pearl Jam's sophomore album "vs." Originally titled 5 against 1, after millions of copies were made, they changed the album title to a better title. It meant the same thing: 5 band members vs. music, the media, the world, life... But also served as a double entendre, since songs have *verses* - perhaps Lola's life is multiple chapters or verses, which we viewed in the movie. Maybe the writers or directors are huge Pearl Jam fans. Who knows? Like music, this title is wide open for interpretation!

Also "Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One" was a 1970's Kink's album, which was undoubtedly partial if not complete inspiration for the title -- what the writers want the audience to think from there is anyone's guess.

[–] dcavalli 10 years ago

Interesting points. Thank you for your reply,

[–] Galagatron 8 years ago

Lola Versus the wisecracking friend character played by the writer who gave herself better lines.