Archive Analysis: "Following"

Following

Directed by: Chris Nolan
Starring: Jeremy Theobald, Alex Haw, Lucy Russell
Rated: R for language and some violence

Chris Nolan's first film, the ultra low-budget thriller Following is an idyllic start for this now classic filmmaker. Like most of his films (especially his earlier fare) the film is complex to comprehend and predict but simple in premise. It has a very similar feel to Memento, but not as polished or intriguing. The story is about a young writer who fights off writers block by following individuals around in order to learn about their lives. However, the hobby turns into obsession, and the turns into a complex web of lies, keeping you always on your toes in order to predict what will happen next. While the language and voyeuristic creepiness earns the film a solid R-rating, the movie portrays a rather Biblical message on a level, that one's sin will find them out. While it's nothing outstanding in comparison to his later films, Following is a fine starting point for a director who, ten years later, would be Hollywood's most successful director.