The Hire: The Follow

The Hire: The Follow is a part of the series of eight short films titled "The Hire," produced by BMW for Internet promotion. The entire series is directed by globally renowned filmmakers and features Clive Owen as a mysterious driver for hire. In The Follow, we see the third installment of this series, directed by Wong Kar-wai, an iconic Hong Kong filmmaker known for his visual storytelling, exploration of themes like memory, time, and love, and the aesthetically pleasing color palette of his films.

In The Hire: The Follow, Clive Owen reprises his role as the nameless driver. This time, he's hired by a Hollywood manager, played by the hard-edged Mickey Rourke. Rourke shines with his well-known rugged charm and delivers a solid performance as a suspicious and seemingly untrustworthy manager. The job seems simple at first; Rourke’s character wants the driver to tail a famous Spanish actor, but it quickly unravels into something more complex.

In true Wong Kar-wai style, The Hire: The Follow presents viewers with sophisticated visuals and a profound narrative. The cinematography is impeccable, with compelling angles and smooth tracking shots that allow Owen's driving to shine in the film. Its rich color palette plays a key role in the film's atmosphere, making the entire experience more enthralling.

Clive Owen delivers a great performance as the nameless driver. His character is skilled, cool and calculated, providing the perfect counterweight to Rourke's abrasive character. Further depth to the narrative is added by the Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima, who charms viewers with her exceptional beauty and acting skills. Her character brings a sense of mystery and allure to the film, as she is the actor's wife who seems to hold more than meets the eye.

This film also shines in the dialogue department, taking a more philosophical approach. As the driver follows his target, there is a voiceover by Owen analyzing and interpreting the situation at hand, giving the viewers an insight into his character's thoughts and dilemmas he faces.

The post-modernist feel of the film is complimented by its synth-driven soundtrack, adding to the general tone of urban chic and desolation. The music is a soft-toned and melancholic contrast to the exciting car-chase sequences, indicating a subtext of loneliness in the life of our protagonist.

Though it runs for only about ten minutes, there is no shortage of tension and drama in the story, keeping the audience on the edge of their seat. It encompasses mystery, suspense, and unexpected twists, all of which are inherent in Wong Kar-wai’s traditional filmmaking style.

The driving sequences in The Follow, just like the rest of the films in the series, showcases BMW’s sleek machines in action, merging the narrative and the corporate promotional aspect seamlessly. The BMW cars are not just props, but key storytelling elements, organically integrated into the plot, highlighting their speed, agility, and style in a subtle yet effective brand endorsement.

Overall, The Hire: The Follow might be a short film but it is packed with all the elements of a great movie, delivering a unique experience that leaves viewers wanting more. Insightful dialogues, exceptional performances, and a complex narrative combined with Wong Kar-wai's signature indie-filmmaking style make it a must-watch for film aficionados and BMW enthusiasts alike. Despite its brief runtime, the film's visual storytelling and philosophical approach make it a unique piece in the world of branded content.