Reviews of The Usual Suspects

astonishing cast

Posted : 2 months, 4 weeks ago on 27 April 2008 11:32 (A review of The Usual Suspects)

Possibly one of the best original scripts out there, it has complicated plotting, macho repartee, Bryan Singer’s remarkable direction and an astonishing male cast: Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey, Stephen Baldwin, Chazz Palminteri, Pete Postlethwaite, Kevin Pollak, Benicio del Toro and Giancarlo Esposito.

This is truly of the best thriller movies about blackmail and betrayal.


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Anything but usual

Posted : 5 months, 2 weeks ago on 8 February 2008 07:17 (A review of The Usual Suspects)

One of my personal favorites of all times. Maybe not THE best film ever. But one of those few films that everyone should see at least twice.

Everything about this film is great. Great acting, great script, great directing, not to mention the unforgettable ending. It's hard to believe that is the same director of Superman Returns (I'll get to that some day).

All actors (yes, ALL) fit perfectly in their characters, from the main parts to the smaller ones.

Gabriel Byrne as Dean Keaton is convincing as the ex-con trying to build a new life when he gets drawn back into his old life. Stephen Baldwin as Michael McManus is the smart-mouthed and cocky professional criminal. Kevin Pollak takes a big departure from his usual good comedy self to take a more dramatic role.

But the best of the film are Benicio del Toro, who literally takes a one-dimensional character with absolutely nothing in the script to give him character and he fleshes it out with brilliant mannerisms and memorable mumbling to show incredible acting creativity and Kevin Spacey who was simply born to be in this movie. His manners and fast-talking yet shy gimp nature are a treat to listen to throughout the film.

Without giving away much of the plot, the best and most genius parts of the movie are the subtleties. After you see the ending (I won't spoil) and the truth hits you like a ton of bricks, you have to watch it again. On a second time through, you'll jump up and point at the screen whenever a clue missed the first time is spotted.

It's even possible to watch the movie many times and see something new every time around. It's that attention to detail that make the deceptively innocent-looking Usual Suspects one of the greatest movies of all time.

And I'd like to recognize too the work of John Ottman, the composer of the soundtrack, it matches the action, the suspense and the acting, what makes the film even more delightful to watch.

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The Usual Suspects review

Posted : 9 months, 3 weeks ago on 4 October 2007 03:19 (A review of The Usual Suspects)

Fantastic movie! I loved it in every way, its brilliant storyline, amazing cast and to end it had the best ending possible. If you havent already, you should really see this movie. One for everyone to enjoy =)

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UnUsual Originality

Posted : 1 year, 9 months ago on 13 October 2006 05:55 (A review of The Usual Suspects)

The originality of perhaps the best written movie I have ever watched has left me only to describe my favorite movie of all time. Never before has a movie challenged the viewer with such a web of twists and turns, an entangling of the mind reminiscent of a true Kansas City Shuffle.

From the beginning to end, we are left questioning the outcome to the movie that single-handedly reshaped the crime drama genre. The aura that writer Christopher McQuarrie surrounds villian Keyser Soze with adds to the mystique of this true cult classic. And the ending, which stands at the pinnacle movie making, will now and forever leave first time viewers in complete awe of its mastery. I highly recommend this movie to anyone with a mind and appreciation for brilliant writing.

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