Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne and Benicio Del Toro
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as controversial as Kevin Spacey. Following his rise to stardom in the 1980’s, Spacey has become a commemorated icon in the film industry. Whether it’s psychopathic serial killers, suspects of murders or frustrated fathers, Spacey proved he could portray several compelling characters. However, in 2018 Spacey’s successful career came to a crashing closure when he was accused of sexual assault. Not longer the successful movie-star that he once used to be, Spacey experienced sexual assault controversies. All of a sudden, Spacey went from being a successful movie-star to a disgraced actor. Despite these controversial allegations, Spacey remains an important movie-star in the film industry today. Regardless of despicable sexual assault controversies, he has made several commemorated movies throughout his career which are definitely without any doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Kevin Spacey and adore all the commemorated movies he has made throughout his career. However, “The Usual Suspects” may be my favourite. Released in 1995, Bryan Singer’s murder mystery found the actor playing the role of a villainous murder suspect. Packed with breathtaking action, sharp storytelling and phenomenal acting, it has stood the test of time as a ciassic. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Kevin Spacey, who embodies the mysterious suspect of a murder. Ultimately, the film delivers a strong message about trust which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “The Usual Suspects” is a movie that’s definitely worth watching.
Set in L.A., “The Usual Suspects” tells a story of a group of suspects that become accused of committing a murder. Kevin Spacey embodies Verbal Kint, a disabled cripple that recounts his life to a police officer. Verbal is a sharp, intelligent and thoughtful criminal that doesn’t seem to be bothered by his disability. However, Verbal’s life forever changes when he’s involved a murder mystery involving several suspects. Navigating the hardships of being a cripple, Verbal struggles to overcome a situation that’s stressful. Facing a thickening plot that becomes complicated, Verbal questions whether it’s truly possible to prove his innocence.
Bryan Singer is a newcomer towards stories of murder suspects. Before he has made “The Usual Suspects”, Singer had never directed a murder mystery. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of individuals suspected of a mystery but he succeeded. Through gorgeous cinematography, Singer captures the journey of individuals suspected of a murder mystery. Singer successfully employs montages to capture the life of a suspect that is accused of murders. For instance, montages enhance the incarceration scene. During this unforgettable scene, Verbal and his team of thugs endure an investigation. One appreciates montages capturing the hardships that crippled suspects go through. Montages are tricky techniques. As Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty” suggested clearly, montages elevate movies about suburban American families. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Through spellbinding visuals, Singer creates a mystery that’s engaging.
Another admirable component of “The Usual Suspects” worth discussing is the production-design. For a movie made in the 1990’s, it has aged beautifully over time without feeling outdated. Singer effectively uses cross-cutting to stage action sequences that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the car destruction scene. During this unforgettable scene, Verbal and his group of thugs engage in destruction of cars. One appreciates cross-cutting capturing action sequences that are engaging. Through cross-cutting, Singer crafts a murder mystery that is engaging. Moreover, the musical score is mesmerizing. It gives the movie a suspenseful atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that murder suspects bear. Through gorgeous production-design, Singer captures the lives of commemorated murder mystery suspects experiencing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Usual Suspects” is a masterpiece that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice-over narration to convey struggles experienced by suspects facing a murder investigation. Singer’s screenwriting strength is capturing the hardships faced by murder suspects through voice-over narration. Throughout the movie, Verbal King narrates his life experience as a suspect of murders through voice-over narration. For instance, narration elevates the criminal lineup scene. During this unforgettable scene, Verbal and his team of companions become involved in a criminal lineup in prison. One appreciates narration capturing experiences of individuals in murder investigations. Voice over narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” did suggest clearly, voice-over narration elevates celebrated classics about prisons. However, it works really well in this movie. Through an incredible screenplay, Singer creates a compelling murder mystery involving criminals facing a painful price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Kevin Spacey delivers one of his best career performances as Verbal Kint. Spacey gained appreciation for playing psychopathic serial killers. With “The Usual Suspects”, however, Spacey embodied his first criminal involved in murder mysteries. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a crippled individual involved in a murder mystery, but he succeeds tremendously. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his powerful screen presence as a towering icon in the film industry before he became the victim of sexual assault controversies. It’s a phenomenal performance that launched the strong career of one of the world’s finest actors today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Benecio Del Toro is brilliant, capturing the sorrow of a criminal becoming involved in a crime which comes with consequences. Gabriel Byrne is great, capturing the curiosity of a criminal which seeks to learn more about a murder mystery that leads his skin to burn. Lastly, Chazz Palminteri merits appreciations. As a police officer, he brings concerns to the movie.
Finally, “The Usual Suspects” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of suspects involved in murder investigations. Unlike most murder mysteries, the film tackles universal themes everyone would relate to. It discusses timely themes including ambition, career and disabilities which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the genre to appreciate it. It delivers a universal message about trust which would resonate with everyone. For a movie made during the 1990’s, it has aged beautifully over time. Therefore, “The Usual Suspects” is one of those rare murder mysteries which everyone would adore.
Fans of Kevin Spacey will definitely appreciate “The Usual Suspects” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A mesmerizing murder mystery masterpiece, it celebrates an actor building a lasting legacy that made unforgettable movies before sexual assault controversies.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic film about a group of individuals becoming the suspects of murder, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to make entertaining movies through creating compelling characters whose timeless movies I will forever treasure even when his commemorated career has been put in grave danger following sexual assault controversies causing disaster.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
You must be logged in to post a comment.