This film is generally regarded in many circles as having the best movie ending of all-time. In even smaller circles, the appreciation for it has died down because of the relatively recent waves of praise it receives from a core teenage fanbase. Some bluffs...erm sorry, buffs, prefer to condemn a film when people of lower life forms to them start to enjoy it. And while they stay there scoffing with their heads stuck somewhere, the rest of us can retain our movie innocence, and praise films we actually like (and not those we pretend to like to impress people).
The Usual Suspects follows the story of five men who have been arrested in suspicion to the same crime. When they are released for lack of further evidence, one of the members, Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), proposes to the crew that they work on a job together. So this seemingly randomly selected crew pulls off a successful crime, which leads to another. Before they even realise it, they are caught up in something that is far deeper than it appears to be on the surface. And it has all apparently been orchestrated by someone behind the scenes, this someone being the legendary Keyser Soze.
This film is masterful. The actors, direction, cinematography, editing and score, are all worthy of commendation. The performance of the film belongs to Kevin Spacey. His work here is subtle and genius, and represents his greatest on screen effort. Gabriel Byrne is also superb as Dean Keaton, and Stephen Baldwin as McManus. Chazz Palminteri and Benicio Del Toro are also memorable among a deep and highly talented cast.
Bryan Singer outdoes himself here, and this too represents him at his career best. The editing is remarkable, and represents one of the best efforts of the 90s. The score is highly effective without being overbearing. The ending is one of my favourite endings ever put to film, and is probably the best sense of realisation ever filmed.
The Usual Suspects is a one of a kind and unforgettable movie. Watching it is like putting together pieces of a puzzle, only to find that the true image is contained in one piece, while the whole puzzle is a just a big distortion. This is arguably the best pure crime thriller of the 90s. And after the many twists and turns, including the final mammoth one, you will find yourself scratching your head and preparing for a second viewing.
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
The Usual Suspects follows the story of five men who have been arrested in suspicion to the same crime. When they are released for lack of further evidence, one of the members, Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), proposes to the crew that they work on a job together. So this seemingly randomly selected crew pulls off a successful crime, which leads to another. Before they even realise it, they are caught up in something that is far deeper than it appears to be on the surface. And it has all apparently been orchestrated by someone behind the scenes, this someone being the legendary Keyser Soze.
This film is masterful. The actors, direction, cinematography, editing and score, are all worthy of commendation. The performance of the film belongs to Kevin Spacey. His work here is subtle and genius, and represents his greatest on screen effort. Gabriel Byrne is also superb as Dean Keaton, and Stephen Baldwin as McManus. Chazz Palminteri and Benicio Del Toro are also memorable among a deep and highly talented cast.
Bryan Singer outdoes himself here, and this too represents him at his career best. The editing is remarkable, and represents one of the best efforts of the 90s. The score is highly effective without being overbearing. The ending is one of my favourite endings ever put to film, and is probably the best sense of realisation ever filmed.
The Usual Suspects is a one of a kind and unforgettable movie. Watching it is like putting together pieces of a puzzle, only to find that the true image is contained in one piece, while the whole puzzle is a just a big distortion. This is arguably the best pure crime thriller of the 90s. And after the many twists and turns, including the final mammoth one, you will find yourself scratching your head and preparing for a second viewing.
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
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