Following

UK Release Date: 04 November 1999
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Dick Bradsell, Alex Haw, John Nolan, Lucy Russell, Jeremy Theobald
Runtime: 69 mins
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review:
The Following sees now world-renowned director, Christopher Nolan, hit the big screen for the first time with his debut feature. With it comes the hallmarks of the majority of Nolan's filmography - an emphatic score, non-linear storytelling and his fascinating fixation with film noir. 

The initial concept might hook the audience but it won't hold their attention without additional curiosity. So by taking the narrative in a non-linear fashion, Nolan is able to bend and shift the viewing experience to grasp as much intrigue as possible. It sets a blueprint for the rest of Nolan's career, nothing is accomplished on the screen without meticulous planning off it. 

The fundamental idea of following randomly selected strangers is clearly influenced by Alfred Hitchcock's extensive body of work. Consistently thrilling and tense throughout the entirety of the runtime. As The Following develops it moulds into a darker, increasingly twisted version of itself - clear repercussions from the success of Fincher's Se7en. Nolan expands upon the notion of entering a stranger's life, through burglary after it happened to him personally. Citing the experience as a violation of personal space that he explores in The Following as well as later in his career with Inception. 

However, the drawbacks of a student film eventually rear their head. With a measly budget of $6,000, there are limitations. The acting leaves a lot to be desired as is to be expected considering only John Nolan, Chris' uncle, was a trained actor. There's a reliance on David Julyan's score, which isn't notably substandard but fails to stir the emotion it's often required to - definitely improves with Memento.  

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