'Following' is the brilliant creation of writer, director, editor, and cinematographer Christopher Nolan.

by Catherine Marquis-Homeyer
staff editor

The delightful little suspense film, "Following," was featured at the St. Louis International Film Festival and is sure to return here at a future date. When it does, you want to be sure to catch this winner of several film festivals. This tight little story is one of the most impressive suspense films I've seen in recent years.

The movie begins with a would-be writer who has developed a habit of following people around London. At first he tells himself that he's doing research for characters, but it soon becomes clear that it has become an obsession. One day, his quarry turns and confronts him, and this draws him into an experience of deceit that changes everything. To say more would spoil the suspense and surprise, but the film is about who we are, who we appear to be, self-delusion, desires and obsession.

The story is told in an unusual format with different times in the story appearing concurrently, until all becomes clear at the end. While it sounds confusing, the effect in the film is actually intriguing and suspenseful. This creative approach, along with a very tight and powerful script, builds the tension for the film perfectly. In fact, this film is as perfectly constructed as could be. No shot is unnecessary and no shot is missing to tell its story.

The surprising thing about this film, and something that will hamper its distribution, is that the film is barely more than one hour long. One is unaware of this length when watching the film--the film is as full and complete as any feature length film. It doesn't seem short or abrupt in any way. It is probably the most flawless one-hour film I've ever seen, yet the fact that most feature films are two hours, even the shortest comedies are 1 1/2 hours, means that it won't fit into most theaters' showing schedules. Stark black-and-white photography, creative use of hand-held and unusual camera angles, and excellent acting support writer/director/editor/cinematographer Christopher Nolan's tour de force. That Nolan could make such a powerful, fully realized film in his spare time with no budget while juggling so many filmmaking roles is a sure mark of genius. Hopefully, we will see great things from him in the future. Meanwhile, when this film returns to our area, everyone with an interest in good film should take the opportunity to see it.

(Shown at the St. Louis International Film Festival)