Lead/Follow is the story of a young couple as they travel through the very typical pieces of a new relationship. As they experience love, sex, and self doubt together, they express these things to the world using dance. He (Sam Nelson Harris) and She (Della Saba) have their whole lives ahead of them, but the things they face together right now are of the utmost importance.
I’ve never seen anything quite like Lead/Follow, and that’s a good thing. It’s original, groundbreaking, and massively entertaining. Writer-Director Colby Day has managed to find a place in cinema that rarely exists, and that might appeal to a very niche group of individuals. However, Day finds ways to expand his film in a way that will allow it to appeal to many–and it’s brilliant. From the opening seconds of Lead/Follow until the closing moment, I was captivated, fully immersed in this world. Lead/Follow is so close to perfect, it checks every box, and every second of this film reaches its full potential.
One of the most exciting aspects of the entire film is the honesty in the script. It’s not honest in the sense that it’s a perfect reflection of the things said in real life, but it’s honest in the way that it says exactly what we are often feeling (but just as often incapable of putting into words). Lead/Follow sees both Harris and Saba expressing sentiments that I might only hope to be able to express to those around me. Being able to admit that you’re struggling with your emotions, how fast you’ve fallen in love with someone, or simply not being able to understand the things that you’re experiencing in your life is a skill that many lack–but seeing He and She express these things throughout Lead/Follow is a breath of fresh air. Seeing and hearing them do this almost brought me to tears, and while I’m not entirely sure that this was Day’s intention–it works perfectly for the film.
The script can’t be successful without powerful performances, however, and Saba and Harris deliver in every single instance of Lead/Follow. Their delivery is direct, but is effective–perfect really. They hit the nail on the head every single time, and the emotion present in their words reach viewers with power and ease. They command each and every scene with poise, and they bring Lead/Follow to life with strength and vigor.
While just about everything regarding Lead/Follow is exciting, the most impressive is the fact that the entire film is shot in one, fluid take. This ultimately ends up being something similar to a live performance, as Day, Harris, Saba, and the others are tasked with creating something with little to no room for mistake. But unlike a stage play, Director of Photography Arlene Muller doesn’t have the luxury of curtains to hide things out of the sight of viewers, but rather she must find ways to manipulate the camera herself, and bring this film to life in a way that resonates with viewers. I can’t begin to imagine the challenges that she faced throughout production–because this aspect of the film is flawless, capable of captivating viewers throughout its entirety. This doesn’t just feel like filmmaking at this point, it truly feels like art–as if someone were literally pouring their heart and soul into the film, and this pays dividends for the final product.
Sex, love, passion, and more blend together to create Lead/Follow, and every aspect of the film works toward bringing these sentiments to life. Day constructs what I believe many cinephiles may consider perfect, with honest, relatable dialogue, stellar actors, and cinematography that is just unlike anything that I’ve ever seen before. While it can often be difficult to express some sentiments, I’m not afraid to admit that I love Lead/Follow.
Written & Directed by Colby Day.
Starring Della Saba & Sam Nelson Harris.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
