Watch Following

The movie "Following" from 1998 is a neo-noir thriller film that follows the journey of a young man, simply known as The Young Man (played by Jeremy Theobald), who is an aspiring writer and an unemployed loner in London. He becomes fascinated by people's private lives and starts following strangers on the streets to learn more about them. One day, he becomes bold enough to follow a well-dressed man named Cobb (played by Alex Haw), who seems to be his perfect subject. However, this decision proves to be a fateful one as it leads him into a dangerous web of crime, deceit, and lies.

The story is told in a non-linear format, with scenes unfolding in a back-and-forth manner that keeps the audience on their toes. The film takes us through a series of flashbacks and flash-forwards, as we see the consequences of the Young Man's actions and how they have led him to a police station to recount the events that have occurred. Through a series of interrogations by the police, we get to learn more about the Young Man's motivation for following Cobb and how he got sucked into a criminal underworld.

As the story progresses, we learn more about Cobb, who is a charismatic thief with a secretive past. Cobb takes the Young Man under his wing and teaches him the tricks of the trade to help him become a better criminal. The Young Man is at first hesitant but gradually becomes more involved in Cobb's activities, including breaking into people's flats, stealing their belongings, and occasionally hiding out and observing their daily routines.

Along the way, the Young Man meets a girl named The Blonde (played by Lucy Russell), and begins a relationship with her. However, the relationship becomes complicated as she is not aware of his criminal side and his association with Cobb. The Blonde becomes a catalyst for the Young Man's true nature to reveal itself, but she also becomes a victim of Cobb's manipulative ways.

As the story progresses, the audience is forced to question the morality of the characters and their true intentions. The Young Man's isolation and pursuit of a new lifestyle leads him down a dark path, as he gets caught up in a dangerous game of lies and deception with Cobb. The story is a twist-filled noir that ultimately exposes the characters' true nature and motives.

The movie is directed by Christopher Nolan, known for his popularity as the director of the Batman trilogy and Inception. The movie's filming style reflects Nolan's classic style, portraying the darkness of human nature and the struggle to make sense of it in a concrete world. The movie is shot in black and white, adding to the film's mood and serving as a nod to classic Hollywood noir films.

In conclusion, "Following" is a well-executed thriller that is sure to keep the audience hooked until the very end. Its non-linear storytelling style, coupled with an intriguing storyline, keeps the audience guessing and questioning the motives of the characters. Christopher Nolan's direction and camerawork elevate the story to another level, adding to the movie's overall suspense and enigma. It is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a classic neo-noir movie.

Following is a 1999 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 60.