There was a suggestive history book called WHAT IF? some years ago. In it, a bunch of history types wrote about moments in history and what might have been if the outcomes changed. Or to those who know an alternative history. On watching LOLA, Andrew Legges film fantasy about alternative history from the perspective of two young women who are are sisters and who it appears have invent a time machine. Well a time device that can read electronic impulses from the future. The women in question, Thomasina (Emma Appleton) and Martha Hanbury (Stefanie Martini)  coming from money won using their machine, are sitting pretty. Things take a turn when during World War 2, things start to turn for the worst.

So far, so interesting. The reveals of history are those moments you learn about in a disjointed way. Kennedy, Nazi’s rise. The others. Bowie and boxing. The machine tells the future or should that be, reports the events of a day you dial in to. When the Blitz roles in, they decide to save lives from the death from above. This leads them down a difficult path. British intelligence wants their machine and all its wonderful information. What follows is a series of ever more preposterous, yet some how, engaging events. Twisting history into a series of parallel worlds and alternative histories. Then as expected, the consequences of their actions need be captured. Morals need be found and the story has a finality. All good enough. Good enough. Not spectacular.

It deserves respect. It defines something. It makes an interesting proposition. But it never delivers something more than just a thought. A daydream. You never feel real concern. In the commentary, you feel that the director might have wrestled with this and maybe realised he might have lost. Or not.

Extras:
Filmmaker’s Commentary