Following
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Movie Reviews of Following
Movie Review: Very Impressive Feature Debut from the Director of "Memento"
Summary: 4 Stars
Christopher Nolan surprised movie fans with critically acclaimed "Memento" with its stylish, original storytelling, and if you're interested how he started his career, "Following" is a must for you to see. The classic ingredints of the Holloywood's old film noir -- a deadly attractive but morally dubious character from the underworld, an unemployed self-claimed writer, and a blonde woman -- are suavely treated with skillful editing and moody 16 mm. black-and-white photography of London, and though the story itself is often too incredible (as many of the past noir masterpieces are), you find yourself drawn into the world Nolan created with this low-budget movie, just like the hapless hero of the film.Bill, a writer without writing anything, finds a new hobby. That is following people he picks up on the street at random. Without any particular reason Bill keeps on shadowing until he encounters Cobb, who notices his following, and boldly faces him to invite Bill to HIS own world of joy -- sneaking into someone's room. This is the beginning of his little adventure, in which Bill meets another mysterious figure, a beautiful blonde girl, whose motive is unclear to him and also to us....
As in "Memento," a comparatively thin plot is enlarged with Nolan's unique storytelling techniques that break the rule of chronological order, making use of flash-back and flash-forward. You have to always concentrate your mind on what's going on on the screen, to truly appreciate the impact of the unexpected windup of Bill's new hobby, which turns, as you know, a big nightmare. Though I find the middle part of the film a little bit dull, and the story itself is too unbeliebavle, the film's integrity is a considerable one, making "Following" a rare treat for the fans of this film noir genre.
My material about the film I got at theater says that as the filmmakers did another job on weekdays to earn money, they could spend only Saturdays to film the scenes, so the actors had to keep their haircut always the same for more than 20 weeks, so as to preserve continuity!
Movie Review: Quirky Film Noir
Summary: 4 Stars
Christopher Nolan's first film is an absolute gem of no budget filmaking that should make Hollywood producer's stand up and take notice.
The film shot in London on Saturdays because the cast and crew had other day jobs on a budget of $6000.00 is a stylish film noir with a unique time structure that was used to suberb effect in Nolan's second feature Memento.
The film follws the story of a young man(Jeremy Theobald)who takes to following random people on the street in order to overcome his boring and lonely lifestyle. One day he follows a stranger carrying a leather bag who turns out to be a thief. Being invited to join in on some break ins a story of double and triple crosses follows.
The story is just quirky enough to keep the viewer's attention for its short 70 minute run time and nary a frame of film is wasted. There are good supporting performances by Alex Haw as the thief, Cobb and by Lucy Russell as the obligatory blonde femme fatale.
The DVD is presented in a full frame addition only with Dolby 2.0 sound. The disc contains a commentary that tells new filmakers how to deal with the problem of a non existent budget, a screenplay viewer and the ability to view the film chronologically.
All in all a good way to spend 70 minutes of your time. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: "If you take it away, you'll show them what they had."
Summary: 4 Stars
From the director of Momento, FOLLOWING is a gritty, low-budget tale of one man's obsession of following strangers. Bill is an unemployed, aspiring writer who substitutes the dullness in his own life by following strangers walking down the street. His plans, however, take an unexpected turn when he follows a man who confronts him for shadowing him. Soon Bill realizes that this reluctant 'subject', Cobb, also participates in voyeuristic activities of breaking into apartments and rummaging through their belongings. Cobb leads Bill down a path that will forever change him, and one that he cannot return from. In a similar fashion as Momento, FOLLOWING is filmed in non-chronological order and includes many plots twists and turns along the way. Once the audience believes they know what is going on, the tables are turned on them once again. This film has a similar feel as Momento and even contains a comparable narrator. Also included on this DVD are several special features that further enhance the viewing experience, such as an alternate version of the film shown in chronological order and a version shot from a different camera angle. FOLLOWING is a film that leaves a residue of creepiness on the audience that is difficult to shake off. If you enjoyed Momento, then you will also like FOLLOWING. Recommended.Movie Review: This movie has style!
Summary: 4 Stars
I, as probably many other people, got this movie after I watched "Memento", the second movie by the same director, Christopher Nolan, which I liked very much. I liked his first one too, although probably the comparison with his follow up Hollywood production makes 'Following' even more interesting. It is low budget independent movie in noir style that is shot in black and white. The style of the movie reminds me old french crime movies although it adds the twists so familiar to us from 'Memento': the order of the movie doesn't follow the real order so you see different pieces in different times trying to recreate what really happened. The plot itself, although unpredictable (the ending is totally surprising) not really convincing and logical. But it's ok since, in my opinion, the main quality of this movie is its style. The acting is adequate. All in all although not groundbreaking it is interesting especially as prequel to 'Following'.Movie Review: Great precedent to Memento - 4.5 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
When I saw this movie by Chris Nolan ("Memento") another director and another couple of movies came to mind: Darren Aronofsky's "Pi" and "Requiem for a Dream." In a sense "Pi" served as an experimental platform to develop some of the concepts and storytelling style for "Requiem for a Dream," just like "Following" has done for "Memento," definitely one of 2001's greatest movies. The timeline of "Following" goes back and forth, much in the same way as "Memento" but gets to a point where it is a little more predictable. However, you will highly enjoy it, I'm sure.Christopher Nolan has already got in the works another movie, this time as director only, starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, called "Imsomnia." A double-reason not to miss it, just like you shouldn't miss this one.