JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonThe Usual Suspects (1995) - Trailer Included
April 19th 2007 14:07
The Usual Suspects
Director: Bryan Singer
Writer: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey, Benicio Del Toro, Stephen Baldwin,
“Who is Keyser Soze?” – Verbal Kint
Handled with precision and intelligence, this gritty crime thriller plays with conventional narrative to weave a complex mystery while bad men are doing bad things.
Present Day: In the aftermath of a possible drug deal gone wrong we see a cargo liner smouldering in a bay while FBI Agents discuss the carnage.
Intercutting between past and present we follow US Customs Agent Dave Kujan (Chazz Palmiterri) as he interrogates Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), the lone survivor of the slaughter aboard the ship.
"I want to know why 27 people died for 91 million dollars worth of dope that doesn't even seem to be there." - Dave Cujan
Flashback: The N.Y.P.D are rounding up a bunch of The Usual Suspects on charges of holding up a truck carrying weapons through Queens.
“You sure you bought enough guys?” - Hockney
Locked in a cell together after an illegal voice line up is the ex cop turned gangster number one Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne), who is now struggling to succeed as a legitimate businessman. The rest of the crew are a sociopathic assassin-McManus (Stephen Baldwin), an unflappable thief-Hockney (Kevin Pollock), a mumbling hustler-Fenster (Benicio Del Torro) and a cripple-Verbal Kint.
“What the cops never figured out, and what I know now, was that these men would never break, never lie down, never bend over for anybody. Anybody.” – Verbal Kint
These 5 are a pack of unbreakable, professional criminals that smirk at jail time and refuse to submit to their captors. Once released without charges they band together and hatch a plot for revenge against the cops who harassed them.
“You know what happens you do another turn in the joint?” - Cop
“Fuck your father and then have a snack?” – Hockney
As the investigation into what happened aboard the boat continues, the two plots spiral into a detailed labyrinth of intricate deception involving robbery, murder and mythic underworld folklore.
“My name is Kobayashi. I work for Keyser Soze” - Kobayashi
John Doe says:
Memorable, rich dialogue is expounded by brilliant character performances that tell an engaging story with flair. Already a cult classic, the opening is an onslaught of witty tough guy banter and clever set ups.
Director Bryan Singer (Apt Pupil, X-Men, Superman Returns) dazzles with this tightly constructed, economically shot pulp gem. All the elements unite in bringing Christopher McQuarrie’s (Way of The Gun) page turning screenplay to realization.
Manipulating the viewer into processing the puzzle constantly, the mind is always gathering information. The skilful direction lets you also be entertained by the dark humour, energetic line exchanges and constantly evolving suspense.
The music slides smoothly into the visual tapestry, sparingly enhancing moments and raising the excitement and tension.
The cast has an undeniable chemistry which is evident virtually straight away, they can’t even keep a straight face in the interrogation room at the start. (See the clip below)
Gabriel Byrne (Miller’s Crossing, Gothic, The Courier, The Keep, Excalibur, Dead Man, Spider) lodges a performance to ranks alongside Tom Reagan in Miller’s Crossing. Completely natural in his role, the lazy body language and under stated style has an exhausted Robert Mitchum quality that fits the part.
Benicio Del Toro (Traffic, Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas, Sin City, 21 Grams, Snatch, Way of The Gun, The Funeral, The Pledge) staked his claim on the acting world with this break out part and its simple to see why. The eccentric choice of a geographically undefined dialect works because he physically sells it. He captivates even when he’s silently standing still.
This was the year of the Spacey (Swimming With Sharks, Big Kahuna, United States of Leland, Hurly Burly, The Ref, Glengarry Glenross) too with the release of this coinciding within a few months of Se7en. As the narrator, vulnerable and weak Verbal Kint his voice and complete immersion in handicapped tics make for unmissable moments.
Kevin Pollack (Buffalo 66, Casino, Truth or Consequence N.M, Willow) manages to always make his onscreen time remind you what a great actor he is. In this the tough nugget bounces of his co stars with ease.
Stephen Baldwin surprises as the high revving killer who enjoys his job. Pete Postelthwaite, Chazz Palmenteri, Dan Heyada and Peter Greene all do standout work to match the leads.
When John Doe first saw this in cinemas it was so satisfying he walked out, bought another ticket and went straight back in for a second screening. A notch above most other films in the genre, the film coherently comes together and stands up to endless repeat viewings.
The DVD:
Transfer: Anamorphic Widescreen/ Dolby Digital 5.1
Extras: Directors Commentary and Deleted Scenes.
Watch the trailer below.
Warning: language some may find offensive-Here is the now endlessly quoted line up scene from the start of the film
DVD Cover
Writer: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey, Benicio Del Toro, Stephen Baldwin,
“Who is Keyser Soze?” – Verbal Kint
Handled with precision and intelligence, this gritty crime thriller plays with conventional narrative to weave a complex mystery while bad men are doing bad things.
Present Day: In the aftermath of a possible drug deal gone wrong we see a cargo liner smouldering in a bay while FBI Agents discuss the carnage.
Intercutting between past and present we follow US Customs Agent Dave Kujan (Chazz Palmiterri) as he interrogates Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), the lone survivor of the slaughter aboard the ship.
"I want to know why 27 people died for 91 million dollars worth of dope that doesn't even seem to be there." - Dave Cujan
Flashback: The N.Y.P.D are rounding up a bunch of The Usual Suspects on charges of holding up a truck carrying weapons through Queens.
“You sure you bought enough guys?” - Hockney
Locked in a cell together after an illegal voice line up is the ex cop turned gangster number one Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne), who is now struggling to succeed as a legitimate businessman. The rest of the crew are a sociopathic assassin-McManus (Stephen Baldwin), an unflappable thief-Hockney (Kevin Pollock), a mumbling hustler-Fenster (Benicio Del Torro) and a cripple-Verbal Kint.
“What the cops never figured out, and what I know now, was that these men would never break, never lie down, never bend over for anybody. Anybody.” – Verbal Kint
These 5 are a pack of unbreakable, professional criminals that smirk at jail time and refuse to submit to their captors. Once released without charges they band together and hatch a plot for revenge against the cops who harassed them.
“You know what happens you do another turn in the joint?” - Cop
“Fuck your father and then have a snack?” – Hockney
As the investigation into what happened aboard the boat continues, the two plots spiral into a detailed labyrinth of intricate deception involving robbery, murder and mythic underworld folklore.
“My name is Kobayashi. I work for Keyser Soze” - Kobayashi
John Doe says:
Memorable, rich dialogue is expounded by brilliant character performances that tell an engaging story with flair. Already a cult classic, the opening is an onslaught of witty tough guy banter and clever set ups.
Director Bryan Singer (Apt Pupil, X-Men, Superman Returns) dazzles with this tightly constructed, economically shot pulp gem. All the elements unite in bringing Christopher McQuarrie’s (Way of The Gun) page turning screenplay to realization.
Manipulating the viewer into processing the puzzle constantly, the mind is always gathering information. The skilful direction lets you also be entertained by the dark humour, energetic line exchanges and constantly evolving suspense.
The music slides smoothly into the visual tapestry, sparingly enhancing moments and raising the excitement and tension.
The cast has an undeniable chemistry which is evident virtually straight away, they can’t even keep a straight face in the interrogation room at the start. (See the clip below)
Gabriel Byrne (Miller’s Crossing, Gothic, The Courier, The Keep, Excalibur, Dead Man, Spider) lodges a performance to ranks alongside Tom Reagan in Miller’s Crossing. Completely natural in his role, the lazy body language and under stated style has an exhausted Robert Mitchum quality that fits the part.
Benicio Del Toro (Traffic, Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas, Sin City, 21 Grams, Snatch, Way of The Gun, The Funeral, The Pledge) staked his claim on the acting world with this break out part and its simple to see why. The eccentric choice of a geographically undefined dialect works because he physically sells it. He captivates even when he’s silently standing still.
This was the year of the Spacey (Swimming With Sharks, Big Kahuna, United States of Leland, Hurly Burly, The Ref, Glengarry Glenross) too with the release of this coinciding within a few months of Se7en. As the narrator, vulnerable and weak Verbal Kint his voice and complete immersion in handicapped tics make for unmissable moments.
Kevin Pollack (Buffalo 66, Casino, Truth or Consequence N.M, Willow) manages to always make his onscreen time remind you what a great actor he is. In this the tough nugget bounces of his co stars with ease.
Stephen Baldwin surprises as the high revving killer who enjoys his job. Pete Postelthwaite, Chazz Palmenteri, Dan Heyada and Peter Greene all do standout work to match the leads.
When John Doe first saw this in cinemas it was so satisfying he walked out, bought another ticket and went straight back in for a second screening. A notch above most other films in the genre, the film coherently comes together and stands up to endless repeat viewings.
The DVD:
Transfer: Anamorphic Widescreen/ Dolby Digital 5.1
Extras: Directors Commentary and Deleted Scenes.
Watch the trailer below.
Warning: language some may find offensive-Here is the now endlessly quoted line up scene from the start of the film
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
This is one of my all-time favourite movies. Great dialogue, and every actor in it is great. I was really surprised by how good Stephen Baldwin was when I first saw it....who knew he could actually act??
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Thanks for the compliment.....I was just a surprised by Steve Baldwin's moment in the sun.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
This is a damn good movie... great timing, and the plot hits you so hard. How many times has the ending been parodied?
The cast is sickeningly good. It almost hurts to see that much chemistry onscreen.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
LOL, great comment Cib,
I actually ended up seeing this on the bigscreen 8 times...If I am really blown away by a film I often end up immediately buying another ticket and seeing it again..hasn't happened for a while, the last one was Donnie Darko.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Excellent!
I love this movie. Became part of my collection as soon as it was available.
....that moment when the limp becomes a stride...man... goosebumps...
Excellent review as always.
Dusk
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Thanks for the compliment.....totally agree the big reveal is a satisfying slight of hand.
Comment by Filmpeeker
Film Peek
Gizmo Peek
Film Peek Forum
Performances, story, picture, everything.
Too bad not is not released to all European countries yet. Can you believe it?
Thanks for the review.
//filmpeeker
Comment by Anonymous
Saw your thing in Empire too, awesome by the way!!
How you been doing anyway dude?
-Rach (from good 'ole jb)
Comment by Theresa
Vintage Culture
Technology Bloggers
Today's World
Anonymous Film Critic
Borderless World
Penny Smart
I don't know how many times I've seen it, and I
still can't say I'll finish walking through a room
if someone is watching this.
Terrific review.
Theresa
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Can't believe some Euro-countries are Usual Suspect free, that's just mean to them.
Hi Rach,
Thanks for the Empire Compliment. All is going well, busy which is good.
Good to see you Theresa,
I knew there would be a solid fanbase for this well executed slight of hand. Im the same, can watch the film anytime it screens anywhere.