Following is a 1998 British neo-noir film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. It tells the story of a young man who follows strangers around the streets of London and is drawn into a criminal underworld when he fails to keep his distance.
His debut film, it was designed to be as inexpensive as possible to make: scenes were heavily rehearsed so that just one or two takes were needed, thus economising on 16 mm film stock, the production's greatest expense, and for which Nolan was paying from his salary. Without expensive professional lighting equipment, Nolan mostly used available light. Apart from providing the script and direction, Nolan also did the photography, editing and production himself. The film has an unusual, non-linear plot structure which has been a feature in several of Nolan's films.
A struggling, unemployed young writer (credited as "The Young Man") takes to following strangers around the streets of London, ostensibly to find inspiration for his first novel. Initially, he sets strict rules for himself regarding whom he should follow and for how long, but soon discards them as he focuses on a well-groomed, handsome man in a dark suit. The man in the suit, having noticed he is being followed, quickly confronts the Young Man and introduces himself as "Cobb". Cobb reveals that he is a serial burglar and invites The Young Man to accompany him on various burglaries. The material gains from these crimes seem to be of secondary importance to Cobb, who takes pleasure in rifling through the personal items in his targets' flats, and doing things such as drinking their wine. He explains that his true passion is using the shock of robbery and violation of property to make his victims re-examine their lives. He sums up his attitude thus: "You take it away, and show them what they had."
I turn on the tap and run some water
Flick a little switch on the wall
I'm hoping you remember what I taught ya
Hoping you remember me at all
I'm strong but I feel like a mouse when you're gone
I'm weak but I'll take on the world when you're here
With me, with me
Can't you see you're in the wrong place
Will you please face it and come home
When I think about you're sweet face
I can't wait for you to come home
I can see you got a real taste but that champaigne but its all gone
Come home, the kettles on
I've got a little something on my mind
To keep it to myself isn't really very kind
Pouring out my heart isn't usually my style
But you gave me an inch so I'm gonna take a mile
You see
I'm strong but I feel like a mouse when you're gone
I'm weak but I'll take on the world when you're here
With me, with me
Can't you see you're in the wrong place
Will you please face it and come home
When I think about you're sweet face
I can't wait for you to come home
I can see you got a real taste but that champaigne but its all gone
So come home, the kettles on
Yea yea yea
Can't you see you're in the wrong place
Will you please face it and come home
When I think about you're sweet face
I can't wait for you to come home
Can't you see you're in the wrong place
Will you please face it and come home
When I think about you're sweet face
I cant wait for you to comeeeeeeeeeeeeee home
My pianos out of tune
I wish it wasn't
I wish that you were mine
I wish that my heart was stronger
My pianos out of tune
I wish it wasn't
I wish we had more time
I wish that my world was softer
And I want a helicopter
I've had this feeling before
My heart is crawling in the mud, mud, mud
Id feel much better I'm sure if I had a helicopter
This telephone's out of use
I wish it wasn't
I wish you loved me more
I wish that your world was closer
This telephone's out of use
I wish somebody would take me to your door
I wish that my world was finer
And I want an ocean liner
I've had this feeling before
My heart is crawling in the mud, mud, mud
Id feel much better I'm sure if I had an ocean liner
My pianos out of tune
I wish it wasn't
I wish we had more time
I wish that my world was softer
And I want a helicopter
I'm on a helicopter
I've had this feeling before
My heart is crawling in the mud, mud, mud
Id feel much better I'm sure if I had a helicopter, if I had a helicopter
My heart is crawling in the mud, mud, mud
My heart is crawling in the mud, mud, mud
Mud, Mud etc
Where the hell did you get that smile
I haven't seen one of them in a while
Cos these days, I'm such a bore,
I mope around
Like I seen it all before, but something has changed, I used to be an open heart
What have you done to me
It could have been anyone, it could have been anyone
It could have been anyone, it could have been anyone
But it wasn't you and it wasn't him, it was me who felt like a fool right then.
And I won't be the only one
It could have been anyone, yes it could
Yeah, Yeah
When the hell did you get so wise
Foiled again by attempts to disguise
Do you recall the day we kissed
Upon the coast, surrounded by the mist
I gave you my world, to tear apart
Another fool, another broken heart
It could have been anyone, it could have been anyone
It could have been anyone, it could have been anyone
But it wasn't you and it wasn't him, it was me who felt like a fool right then.
And I won't be the only one
It could have been anyone
I know doing it again, it's out of line
Trying to catch a fish down the line
I know doing it again, I must be blind
I'm doing it again
I'm doing it again
It could have been anyone, it could have been anyone
It could have been anyone, It could have been anyone
But it wasn't you and it wasn't him, it was me who felt like a fool right then.
And I cant be the only one
It could have been anyone
Don't you dig this life
They call the meek
You whose feet are on the ground
And if you get too high
What goes around comes around
And brings you down
Cause people gonna see you
How they wanna see you
People gonna rate you
People gonna hate you
People gonna shove you
People gonna love you
People gonna do whatever
Makes them feel they own you better
Cause everyone knows we're strange
(Ahh)
So why do you feel ashamed
(Ohh) Baby
Everyone knows we're different
(Ahh)
So why do you feel ashamed
We love you all the same
That's why
Cause if you feel it
And if you mean it
Don't apologize
And you'll be just fine
Cause all they ever need is what you'll give them
Is what you're given
They only put you down if you give them permission
You and your friends
Boxes of ten
Cool to the touch
You warn me so much
The white to your left
The red to your right
Are all that I'd seen
Til I realised the love that I seek
Lies right in-between
Rose
I love ya
Especially today
Rose
I love your delicate way
The chill in my veins
Relieves me from pain
Again and again
I lose all control
Your taking your toll
And i'm no longer sane
Dont be afraid
The love that I show is the love that you made
So dont be afraid
'Cos your in control
I'm just your slave
Rose,
I love ya,
Especially today,
Rose,
I love your delicate way.
Dont let him put you down
I won't let him put you down
'Cos your as good as the rest
And you're much better dressed
I think pink is my colour
I wont drink from no other
Never!
Oh I love ya
Especially today
Especially this way
Oh Rose
I want ya
Believe me this way
Rose
I love your delicate way.
People in love get fast and foolish
People in love get everything wrong
People in love get scared and stupid
People in love get everything wrong
At least they're not lonely
At least they're not lonely
Never Be Lonely
BBBBaby I think I'm going CCCCrazy
And why should I be sane without you
They tell me to fight it
But they can bloody well just try it
Ill never be the same without you
People in love get special treatment
People in love get everything wrong
People in love their hearts get eaten
People in love get everything wrong
At least they're not lonely
At least they're not lonely
Never Be Lonely
BBBBaby I think I'm going CCCCrazy
And why should I be sane without you
They tell me to fight it
But they can bloody well just try it
Ill never be the same without you
Never Be lonely
Give me the song and I'll say them like I mean it
Give me the words and I'll say them like i mean it
Cos you got my heart in a headlock
You stopped the blood and made my head soft
And god knows
You got me sewn
Nah nah nah etc.
Danny boy, don't be afraid, to shake that ass, and misbehave
Danny boy, I now you got time, but what are you waiting for,
Anyway the dust may just blow away, if you wait for a windy day
But you may find the chance has past you by;
I can't do the walk
I can't do the talk
I can't be your friend
Unless I pretend
So give me the song and I'll sing it like I mean it
So give me the words and I'll say them like I mean it
Cos you got my heart in a headlock
You stopped the blood and made my head soft
And god knows
You got me sewn
Nah nah nah etc.
Danny boy, don't be a fool
Take upon to break the rule
Danny boy your looking so low
You looking like the dead grown old
Anyway the blues just may wash away, if you wait for a rainy day
But you may find, the chance had past you by
I can't do the walk
I can't do the talk
I can't be your friend
Unless I pretend
So give me the song and I'll sing it like I mean it
So give me the words and I'll say them like I mean it
Cos you got my heart in a headlock
You stopped the blood and made my head soft
Cos you got my heart in a headlock
You stopped the blood and made my head soft
Made my head soft
Made my head soft
Made my head soft
Made my head soft
Yeah, yeah, yeah
My love look me in the eye don't lie
Whats eating you inside
I know someone said I aint your kind
Who knows that maybe their right
Do you feel it in your bones
And bones beneath your skin
And the blood that flows within
I thought it was obvious
My love we're made of the same old stuff
Same old stuff
It's not hard
Just look at how close we are
Instead of how far
My love we're made of the same old stuff
Same old stuff
It's not hard
Just look at how close we are
Instead of how far
So what tell me what you got to hide
Do we all get pulled back sometimes
You feel cold
You feel so low
Just the same as i
I feel it in my bones
And I feel it in my skin
And the blood that flows within
I thought it was obvious
My love we're made of the same old stuff
Same old stuff
It's not hard
Just look at how close we are
Instead of how far
I did it your way
Don't push it baby
Theres nothing more than bones and impressions now
Same old, same old, same old
There's nothing more
Same old, same old, same old
There's nothing more
My love its time
My love.
Same old, same old
Same, same old.
Everyone knows it,
can you deny it?
I was the only one for you
Everyone knows it
'cause we couldn't hide it
Nobody else got close it's true
my love was stronger than you think,
so much stronger and now I've had a dream.
I hope you know that I miss you
and I wonder where you've been,
and I wonder who you've seen,
and I hope that he's a friend.
Do I miss you? Yeah
Do I miss you? Yeah
Well I wonder where you've been
and I hope youre with a friend.
Everyone knows it
so dont you deny it;
we had it all layed out for two.
Everyone knows it
'cause we couldn't hide it;
I was the sea and the sky as you.
All of a sudden,
the wind just change direction,
and that big black cloud came rolling in.
I hope you know that I miss you
and I wonder where you've been,
and I wonder who you've seen,
and I hope that he's a friend.
Do I miss you? Yeah
Do I miss you? Yeah (yes I do)
I wonder who you've seen
and I hope that he's a friend..
Nah nah nah, etc.
I found a switch
Turned it on
Hit the ditch
And carried on
I was so near
Now you're so far
Are you quite sure
Just who you are
O IIIII
O you could chose a friend but you don't seem to have the time
O IIIII
I wonder if you ever get to say what's on your mind
O take a little time, take a little time
I love it when you call
I love it when you call
I love it when you call
But you never call at all
So what's the complication it's only conversation
I love it when you call
But you never call at all
Remember me, I used to be the best time buddy
Who you couldn't wait to see
But getting old, it takes its toll
And hearts getting broken lead to people growing old
O IIIIII
Im flipping with a coin that's got a tail on either side
O IIIIII
Im gonna be the one who makes you stop and realise
You could have it all
We should have it all
I love it when you call
I love it when you call
I love it when you call
But you never call at all
So what's the complication it's only conversation
I love it when you call
But you never call at all
Yea I wonder where you been
Yea I wonder who you seen
And I hope you find your train
When you do a living and hope it's all it seems
I love it when you call
I love it when you call
I love it when you call
But you never call at all
So what's the complication it's only conversation
I love it when you call
But you never call at all
It's never gonna work, I don't know what I'm doing in here
My evenings go beserk every time your voice gets near
But when I get under control, I see you ache for it and all
I've got some sugar for your bowl
I've got some loving for your soul
Some twinkle for your eyes, I
Getting sick of being just alone
They think it's not right, fine
Each to their very little own
I want you now, I don't care how
We're both too young to be sitting around
I want you now, I want you now
You make me sure, you make me live
And that's worth more than I ever could give
I don't know how, I want you now
So Timmy goes to school and Timmy goes to work all day
But we just hang around and think of clever things to say
You deserve to get your wish
But you don't know what it is
First it was that and now it's this
But there's one thing that you missed.
Together we'd be fine, fine
At least we can say we won't be lonely
Fine, Fine, I never want to be alone
I want you now, I don't care how
We're both too young to be sitting around
I want you now, I want you now
You make me sure, you make me live
And That's worth more than I ever could give
I don't know how, I want you now
I want you now
I don't care how
We're both to young to sit around
I want you know
Yea Yeaaa, Yea Yea Yea Yea
I want you now, I don't care how
We're both too young to be sitting around
I want you now, I want you now
You make me sure, you make me live
And That's worth more than I ever could give
I don't know how, I want you now
Yea Yea Yea Yeaaaaaaaa
I had a dream we went away
Left this city for a day
You took me southwards on a plane
And showed me Spain or somewhere
But in reality you're not so keen to show me anything
And I thought you liked me
Hey, show some love, you aint so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realise
(I want you)
To fill my little world right up, right up, right up
Yeah, so what you gonna do
With all this stuff piling up, filling up and taking up
You misunderstand me
All I wanted was some evidence
That you really like me
(You really like me)
Hey, show some love, you aint so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realise
(I want you)
To fill my little world right up, right up, right up
Maybe it's all too much
How come we're so messed up
Maybe I'm not enough
Maybe you're just too much
Hey, show some love, you aint so tough
Come fill my little world right up
Ohh
Ohh
Yeah
Hey, show some love, you aint so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realise
(I want you)
To fill my little world right up, right up
Hey, show some love, you aint so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realise
That I'm passing you by
So fill your little world right up, right up, right up
Ohh
Come on and show me you aint so tough
She gave her heart for a healthy man
A healthy child and a healthy tan
He gave it all
For a pretty face
A sweet smile
But a bitter taste
They gave it all
Yes they gave it all
Her thoughts were big but their feelings small
I put the dog out for you
Travelled beneath wards for you
Down where it's rumbling
Suburbs left crumbling
Here's where the fun begins
It's true
But I never knew anyone make me run but you do
And that's when
The blue picadilly takes me away from the city
Maybe someday you'll forgive me
Twelve stops and home
You journeyed downwards for me
There aint much left down here to see
You're just too cool for me
You made quite a fool of me
You brought out the school in me, in me
But I never knew anyone tougher than you
And that's when
The blue picadilly takes me away from the city
Maybe someday you'll forgive me
Twelve stops and home
And baby I think that I love ya
And theres a short sign above ya
Cos it aint it a shame
Theres another
I think ill go home
(Why are you here again)
Twelve stops and home
(There is no better friend)
Twelve stops and home
(Look at the time we spent)
Twelve stops and home
(When will it ever end)
You take me down, down, down
You take me down