Even those among the greatest in their field often come from humble beginnings, and MMM Career Achievement Award-winning director Christopher Nolan is no exception. This week, The Lady & Gentlemen start making good on their promise to roundtable all of Nolan’s works by analyzing his debut film, “Following.” This includes discussions of toasted cheese sandwiches, how far one can stretch a $6,000-budget, unconscious collections, future “The Dark Knight Trilogy” cameos for the cast, just how much of Nolan’s style and vision was already evident in his first effort, and, of course, the plot twists and turns of this neo-noir indy.
Download the show HERE.
6 Responses to MMM Podcast, Episode 87: ‘Following’ Roundtable
I really want a grilled cheese sandwich now.
Great podcast as usual . Did not know Nolan had no formal training but judging from his films he gets better and better with his storytelling , which is aces in my book .
I loved Nolan’s Bat-films, and I’ve liked most of his Non-Bat films. I’ve found them a little under-whelming in some of their pay-off moments, such as Inception. (Don’t be like me, son. That’s the big secret?! Ya gotta invade a guy’s dream to discover he’s got a typical issue with his Dad?)
As far as my childhood hero, Batman, I doubt any film-maker could have done it much better, but I have always had issue with Nolan’s predilection for McGuffins, (things that move the story along but are never adequately explained). In the Bat films they are too numerous to mention here. And I’m not buying the “He’s Batman,” excuse some folks make.
One example from Begins: Ken Watanabe is introduced as Ra’s Al Ghul, Liam Neeson is Ducard. When Neeson is reintroduced at the end of the film he is Ra’s Al Ghul. Ok, fine, Watanabe was a formidable acolyte working for Neeson, and simply playing a role to pull the wool over Bruce’s eyes. Why they hell does Neeson claim Bruce burned down his house and left him to die, when in actuality he had saved his life. Even the old man there said, “I will tell him you saved his life.” If he was Watanabe, then yes, he left him to die–because he was already dead.
There are plenty of others from each film: You’re telling me Maroni is dead because his Lincoln Continental got flipped over? Did you see that thing. It barely got scratched.
Now, don’t get me wrong, gentlemen. I still love the movies, and its my personal hope that Batman takes to other media, so whomever continues the Bat-franchise won’t have to be compared to these masterpieces. Nolan’s a great story-teller, but sometimes it seems he’s not a real detail oriented story-teller.
Excellent podcast gents and lady, I learned alot about where Nolan got his start. One quick note, John Nolan (Fredericks) is actually Nolan’s Uncle, so he is related. Just thought you might want to know. Btw coffee at lunch, is perfectly acceptable! One Minor question will MMM bring us news on Nolan’s next project (whenever and whatever it is)?
To The Lady:
Primer is a great movie.
[...] Lady and the Gentlemen recently did a podcast in which we raved about the early genius on display in Christopher Nolan’s first film, [...]