Review of Following (1999) by David M — 27 Nov 2009

Christopher Nolan is one of the best, arguably the best, director working in Hollywood today. This is his feature film debut, Following, which nobody I've ever heard of has, well ever heard of. Its just over an hour long, but it packs a lot into the time it spends. I love watching director's early independent work because you can see the early foundation laid for their later work. The film is a neo-noir with some interesting takes on obsession and people. I always wondered what got Christopher Nolan the helming of Batman, and its because this, Memento, and Insomnia are all detective stories of sorts, and thats what Batman is at heart.

The story is about a lonely man who begins following people, until he gets caught. By a man who also studies people, but does it by breaking into their homes, and stealing, but mostly just to shake them up. By taking away what people take for granted, you show them what they really have. I loved the ideas and takes on understanding people.

The acting is okay mostly, the lead holds his own, respectably, except towards the end when he is supposed to get angry, his voice betrays him. The story is really where the film shines, as it is told unchronologically, and has a couple double and triple crosses, and an ending that leaves you not sure of anything you saw. Its a rare gem that most people will never see, but I highly recommend it.