Lola Versus 2012

As the clock strikes 29 on a significant birthday for Ph.D. student Lola, she finds herself on the precipice of matrimony with her long-time partner Luke, an artist (Luke). The prospect of exchanging vows sends her into a whirlwind of preparations, but fate has other plans. A mere few weeks before the big day, Luke suddenly calls off the engagement, leaving Lola reeling from the devastating blow.

In a bid to lift her spirits and encourage her to dip her toes back in the dating pool, her trusted friend Alice whisks her away to a pulsating nightclub. The thought of fleeting connections with strangers sends Lola’s anxiety into overdrive, triggering a panic attack that leaves her shaken. As she struggles to regain her composure, she finds solace in the company of Henry, a mutual acquaintance of hers and Luke’s, who offers her a temporary refuge.

Days turn into weeks, and Lola begins to rebuild her life. A chance encounter with Nick at a local fish market sets her heart racing once more. Though still reeling from her recent heartbreak, she agrees to give him her phone number on the condition that he respects her emotional boundaries. Later, while making her way to a meeting at her university, Lola is caught off guard by Luke’s sudden reappearance, only to rebuff his advances.

As she navigates this uncharted territory, Lola presents her groundbreaking doctoral dissertation on silence in 19th-century French literature and its stark contrast with the cacophony of modern popular culture. Her professors gather around, bewildered by the sheer scope of her research. The next evening finds Lola sharing a tender moment with Henry, who has always harbored feelings for her, but stops short of taking things further out of respect for Luke.

The following day, Lola meets Luke for lunch, only to find herself torn between her lingering emotions and the urge to move on. Their tryst at Luke’s apartment ends in tears, as Lola confesses she can no longer see him due to her unresolved heartache. In the midst of this emotional turmoil, she stumbles upon text messages from Peggy, a woman with whom Luke has recently started a casual relationship.

As she continues to grapple with these complex emotions, Lola finds solace in Henry’s company once more. A chance encounter at one of his performances brings her face-to-face with Luke and Peggy, setting off a chain reaction of emotions that culminates in an explosive confrontation outside the venue. Later that night, an intoxicated Lola seeks comfort at Henry’s place, where their awkward intimacy only serves to further complicate their already tangled web of feelings.

In the aftermath, Henry’s calm reassurance that they don’t need to define their relationship leaves Lola with more questions than answers, as she struggles to find her footing in this uncertain landscape.

As the evening unfolds, Lola finds herself entwined in a dinner date with Nick at his residence, where their intimacy is punctuated by his peculiar behavior. The following morning, Nick accompanies Lola home, only to be met with Henry’s perturbed expression on her doorstep. Lola’s attempts to placate Henry fall on deaf ears as he departs, leaving her feeling unsettled. Seeking solace, she visits Luke’s abode, where they spend quality time together and indulge in cannabis.

As the days pass, Lola finds herself navigating a complex web of relationships. At a house party hosted by Lola, Henry reveals that his earlier ire has dissipated, while Luke shares the news that he will be moving in with Henry, extending an invitation to Lola for their forthcoming housewarming celebration. In the intervening period, Lola decides to sever ties with Nick. The dynamics at the housewarming party take a surprising turn when Alice and Henry casually reveal their newfound romantic connection to Lola, prompting her to erupt in anger at being kept in the dark.

As the festivities continue, Lola’s world is turned upside down once more when Luke joins the conversation, prompting her to declare that all three of them have abandoned her. In the aftermath, a tipsy and distraught Lola embarks on a nocturnal adventure, pilfering liquor bottles and visiting a strip club before stumbling back to her apartment in the morning.

In the days that follow, Lola undergoes a profound transformation, recognizing that she is the sole architect of her existential crisis. She redirects her focus towards personal growth, completing her dissertation along the way. As she navigates a newfound sense of peace with both Alice and Henry, Lola celebrates her 30th birthday with a picnic in the park, surrounded by loved ones. When Luke appears on the scene, he confesses that their time apart has allowed him to realize how much he misses her, suggesting a reconciliation. However, Lola kindly rejects his offer, acknowledging that she still requires solitude to process the emotional baggage accumulated during their tumultuous relationship.

In this pivotal moment of self-reflection and growth, Lola finally finds the courage to chart her own course, free from the entanglements of others.