The Usual Suspects

It’s funny how some films are fully appreciated only after a second screening, and The Usual Suspects is one of them. The story, which at first I found uninteresting and didn’t understand, now completely engrossed me, and I enjoyed every clever scene, all the sharp dialogue and, above all, I admired the performance of Kevin Spacey, which was absolutely amazing and deserving of an Oscar award as few others have. Thanks to its relatively short runtime, the story flows like water, Singer's imaginative and stylish direction, together with a precisely scored soundtrack, gives it enormous depth and power, and then there’s the final twist with the legendary villain Keyser Soze, who gives his rivals the shivers just by his name alone, puts the crown, making it one of the best crime films of all time. Simply brilliant craftsmanship, with a refinement, rawness and elegance that cannot be fully grasped in one viewing. 98% (02/08/2012)

A police interrogation of a criminal outcast pieces together a flashback mosaic of past events leading to the tragic explosion of a boat in the harbor. Sophisticated dark film-noir in which, in the end, everything is completely different than it seems even at the penultimate glance. A perfect screenplay built on flashback sequences and detailed characterisation, made for an unbelievable $6 million. One actor who was still unknown at the time got very lucky here in that he got a role that made him a demigod for quite some time. I want a sequel in which I can enjoy his character for more than ten seconds so that he doesn’t remain just a mythical revelation to me! (23/06/2002)

A script this perfect would have deserved a little more dynamic direction in my opinion. Singer does conjure up the occasional really playful scene (Kobayashi in the elevator, the cut from the scene where the cops pick up Kevin Pollak), but the whole thing has too much of an 80s static feel for me. It's helped quite a bit by the literally brutal scenes (plus, where else are you going to see a child getting killed in a shot). Otherwise, though, it's a terribly entertaining film. (17/12/2010)

This film simply has pacing and charm! The mythical feel gives the story just the right substance, the music is demonically divine :)), the acting couldn't be better, and Singer, at only 30 years old, already proves that he is more than capable of pulling off a "big" film. The top of its genre, all of whose almost perfect components are enhanced by the famous final outcome. (04/01/2011)

A refined, quality script allows creators to constantly surprise and play with the viewer like a cat with a mouse. Until the last shot, the viewers don't know what is actually happening, and thanks to the film's originality and cleverness, a famous thriller emerged that is often stolen from and referenced in other films and series. Overall impression: 95%. (20/01/2009)