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Rating: WARNING SPOILERS
"The Usual Suspects," one of the most original and mind-bending thriller/noir films I have ever seen. Dated 1995, it is a cult classic famous for its deceptive, brilliant, yet incredibly plausible ending (after all, what's more believable than a big lie), for the excellent performance of Kevin Spacey, who plays a character that is anything but easy to portray, lame and "pretend" naive.
The plot, but especially the ending, has been discussed at length, so I would like to focus on the aspects that impressed me the most.
The film is a gripping mystery that makes details its strong point. After being left with jaws dropped by the ending, perhaps one of the most iconic in cinema history, even richer in pathos due to the tight editing and camera movements, it is enjoyable to watch it a second time to catch those clues that screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie leaves us during the viewing, hidden and perceivable only by an attentive and savvy viewer.
It is precisely the "game" with the viewer that is the film's strength. The initial shot where personal effects are caught, later collected by Verbal Kint as he leaves the station (the lighter and gold watch, the cigarettes); Verbal staring at the bulletin board with a keen look when he arrives at the station; the fact that he guesses, during the raid on the ship, that the group of criminals is speaking Hungarian after just a few words (and at that moment I started to suspect).
In the end, the viewer is left pondering what is true (because verified by the police) and what is the result of a grand, ingenious lie. The beauty of the film lies precisely in this: at first viewing, you are left astonished, at a second, beyond appreciating the rhythm and performances even more, you piece together the puzzle distinguishing what is believable from what is merely the result of imagination and manipulation.
An original film that teaches us not only that the devil tricks by making you believe he doesn't exist, but that you cannot trust anyone...especially Kevin Spacey.
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Other reviews
By Mr.Moustache
"I define it without a shadow of a doubt as the best work of the American director’s career."
"The concept of concealment, masterfully interpreted by the screenplay, is presented as the foundation of our beloved society-container."
By ilfreddo
I had no idea who the hell Keyser Söze was.
I love the dialogues, the actors (Byrne and Spacey above all), the intricate plot, the location, and the aforementioned fireworks finale.
