The Follow

The most touching of BMW's short films. Owen once again plays the cool driver, but this time his emotions get in the way of his work. No insane car chases, but great in all aspects. Only one word can sum this up - beautiful.

This short with the possible exception of Inarritu's Powder Keg is the best from the BMW series. This one is a typical film you might expect from Wong Kar Wai (very dark and film noirish). It should not be missed by any of his fans.

Hong Kong acclaimed director Wong Kar-wai ("In the Mood for Love", "Happy Together", "Fallen Angels", "Chungking Express") directed this short film about for German car manufacturer BMW (bmwfilms.com). Clive Owen plays a detective on an assignment to follow an actress. Instead of hard-selling the BMWs which we might expect Wong portrays the psyche of the detective in the form of monologue.

This short film is breathtakingly gorgeous (especially the first minute or so). Wong chose to mute the sound of the car and superimpose Silvio Rodriguez's Unicornio, which I think is beautifully done.

WKW has done it again. Definitely check it out if you like to look at beautiful things.

This episode of the series is the most 'filmish' of all. What I mean is that the action concentrates not around the driving itself, but about the plot, the idea - and driving is only entwined with the action, but doesn't guide it.

The driving during all the episode resembles a dance - they two are moving tenderly, closely, yet intently. Storytelling is non-linear, but this dance runs through all the episode. At the same time the details, which are highlighted now and then, make all the plot somehow intimate. And the music matches the mood appallingly.

If other episodes could be associated with a comedy, a thriller or an action movie, this one is sure to be a melodrama: it's very romantic.

Well, you'd better see it - I doubt you'll regret you did.

The BMW Film series films are all excellent. I particularly appreciate the humor of "Star" and the sensitivity and awareness of "Powder Keg," but "The Follow" seems to stand out as the best film of them all. The Driver seems more relaxed and perhaps more together in this of all of the films. He starts out detached, coldly explaining the best way to tail someone, but becomes human, identifying with the heroine and allowing justice to be served. Amazingly all accomplished in 6 minutes. Clive Owen is great as always and Forest Whitaker is affecting in an unbilled performance. 9/10