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Following [Blu-ray]
(Christopher Nolan, 1999)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Next Wave Films Video: Criterion Collection Spine #638
Disc: Region: 'A' (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:10:10.247 Disc Size: 49,819,189,938 bytes Feature Size: 22,832,394,240 bytes Video Bitrate: 35.02 Mbps Chapters: 13 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: December 11th, 2012
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.33:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 3607 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3607 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles: English (SDH), none
Extras:
• Audio commentary by Nolan (2001)
Bitrate:
Description: Before he became a sensation with the twisty revenge story Memento, Christopher Nolan fashioned this low-budget, 16 mm black-and-white neonoir with comparable precision and cunning. Providing irrefutable evidence of Nolan’s directorial bravura, Following is the fragmented tale of an unemployed young writer who trails strangers through London, hoping that they will provide inspiration for his first novel. He gets more than he bargained for when one of his unwitting subjects leads him down a dark criminal path. With gritty aesthetics and a made-on-the-fly vibe (many shots were simply stolen on the streets, unbeknownst to passersby), Following is a mind- bending psychological journey that shows the remarkable beginnings of one of today’s most acclaimed filmmakers.
The Film: Christopher Nolan made his feature directorial debut with this 16mm black-and-white British suspense drama, shot on weekends with a $6,000 budget. Wannabe writer Bill, aka "The Young Man" (Jeremy Theobald), is "between jobs," living in impoverished circumstances with no prospects, plots, or outlines. Desperate for ideas, he begins following people in the street to "gather material," more accurately described as a venture into voyeurism. When Cobb (Alex Haw) realizes he's being followed, he confronts Bill. Cobb explains that he goes one step further -- entering people's apartments not only for theft but also to spy on private possessions. The notion of illegal intrusions excites Bill, but graduating to the next plateau beyond break-ins sets him up as a fall guy. Shown at the 1998 San Francisco Film Festival. Excerpt from MRQE located HEREShot at weekends on a shoestring, Nolan's 16mm b/w feature is more Shallow Grave than Shane Meadows. Blocked writer Bill (Theobald) takes to following strangers through the streets of Soho, ostensibly to kickstart his fiction. One day, one of his 'targets' bites back: Cobb (Haw) introduces himself as a burglar skilled at 'reading' people's identities from rifling through their possessions, and he insists that Bill should tag along to experience the thrill for himself. A complicated time structure (the film flashes backwards and forwards) signals that more is going on here than meets the eye. Sure enough, the denouement involves two double crosses, a femme fatale, a murder and a crowning triple cross. The generic pay off is a little disappointing after the edgy, character based scenes of exposition, but the film is acted and directed confidently enough to work well as a wry mystery thriller. Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guide located HERE
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. Following has been put to Blu-ray by Criterion. The 16mm, black and white, film has been restored and looks, predictably, grainy and very pleasing. The image has less-noticeable imperfections only due to the production limitations. This is dual-layered with a high bitrate and we can guess that it is a solid representation of the film. I was going to compare to the 2001 DVD but had trouble finding that SD disc. This Blu-ray is in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and contrast is impressive for the production format. I particularly find the textures attractive.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :Audio is offered in the original Dolby (2.0 channel) but also a new 5.1 surround mix by re-recording mixer Gary Rizzo. There is some buoyancy but, keep in mind, it is not of the same dynamic range of modern features. Still, I preferred it and it sustains some ambiance and Noir atmosphere to Following. There are optional English subtitles and m y Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'A' disc.
Extras : Included is the audio commentary by Nolan as found on the 2001 Sony DVD. He discusses production details for the limited feature including use of "parallel narratives". There is also a new 26-minute interview with Nolan (recorded by Criterion in 2010). There is a kind of interesting chronological edit of the full film (1:10:10) with the story events in chronological order. We get a 10-minute side-by-side comparison of the shooting script with three scenes from the film and Doodlebug (1997), a three-minute film by Nolan when attending University College - London, starring Following’s Jeremy Theobald. There are 2 trailers (Theatrical - 1:20, Re-Release - 1:30) and the package contains a liner notes leaflet with an essay by film critic and programmer Scott Foundas.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze December 5th, 2012
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Gary Tooze
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