Movie-A-Day #42: The Usual Suspects

[FischerKing]

The following plot synopsis was "borrowed" from rottentomatoes.com.


SYNOPSIS

Director Bryan Singer's labyrinthine crime drama centers on five career criminals (played by Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey, Benicio Del Toro, Kevin Pollak, and Stephen Baldwin) who meet after being rounded up for a standard police line-up. Upon their release, the men band together to pull off an intricate heist involving $3 million worth of emeralds. Their success brings them to the attention of the enigmatic Keyser Soze, an unseen, nefarious, and mythic underworld crime figure who coerces them into pulling off an important and highly dangerous job. The scenes that follow make THE USUAL SUSPECTS one of the most fascinating crime thrillers in cinema history.

This film was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Screenplay - Christopher McQuarrie, Best Supporting Actor - Kevin Spacey) and it won both of them.

This is easily my favorite film to date. The story is amazing, Kevin Spacey is brilliant in his role are Verbal Kint. I've watched this movie so many times and I never get tired of it. There is just something about the twists and turns, the screenplay, the way it was shot and the acting that just keeps me coming back to it constantly.

Shawn

 

[schutd]

Definitely one of my all time favorite films. Kevin Pollack Benicio Del Toro and even the otherwise horible Stephen ZBaldwin turn in awesome performances as well. For as good as Kevin Spacey was, and a solid as Gabriel Byrne's performance was, the film fails of the other players dont play their parts up to snuff. The screen play is amazing, and if you havent seen this one at least 5 times, you're still missing something.

Also, one of my favorite director's commentary on any DVD I own.

 

[jf-08]

I thought Byrne's performance was wonderful.

This is one of my all time favorites as well.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Awesome movie, have it on DVD, but to me, it's one of those ones that you can't watch over and over, since you already know the ending.

Anyways, great performances all around in this one, superb.

Mike

 

[FischerKing]

Originally posted by Chandler Mike
Awesome movie, have it on DVD, but to me, it's one of those ones that you can't watch over and over, since you already know the ending.

Anyways, great performances all around in this one, superb.

Mike

I disagree - I've watched it several times if for nothing else than Kevin Spacey's acting. He's so good in this and trying to see if he tips what the real story is by his performance is what has kept me coming back and watching it multiple times.

Shawn

 

[Chaplin]

Great movie, one of the best of the 90s.

The commentary is pretty good on the DVD, but Bryan Singer is a pretty arrogant dude. He dropped out of NYU and started making movies--lucky him. But he's always had a chip on his shoulder because he is gay and thinks that people don't respect him because of it. (I knew someone who went to NYU with him)

But anway, the movie is really tight, and the script by Christopher McQuarrie is just terrific.

And Kevin Spacey definitely deserved that Best Supporting Actor Oscar he got for this movie.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Roger Verbal Kint

Absolutely love this movie. It's one that you CAN watch over and over even when you know how it ends. That's what really stands out about it to me. Great cast, great acting, especially by Spacey. Some great lines in it too.

"Keaton once said, "I don't believe in God, but I'm afraid of him." Well I believe in God, and the only thing that scares me is Keyser Soze." - Roger Verbal Kint

Keaton: I'm a businessman now.
Cop: Yeah? What's that, the restaurant business? No. From now on, you're in the gettin'-f--ked-by-us business.


Great choice, Whitey!

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by Chandler Mike
Awesome movie, have it on DVD, but to me, it's one of those ones that you can't watch over and over, since you already know the ending.

Anyways, great performances all around in this one, superb.

Mike

I agree, great movie the first time around. However like the "Sixth Sense", after you know the ending it doesn't have the same punch. Although I must agree with others that Spacey was incredible and made the movie.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Originally posted by MadCardDisease
I agree, great movie the first time around. However like the "Sixth Sense", after you know the ending it doesn't have the same punch. Although I must agree with others that Spacey was incredible and made the movie.

Yeah, you are right, but after reading some of these posts, part of the greatness of the movie is seeing the end again...it is just so good.

Mike

 

[maddogkf]

I loved this film! I thought Bel Toro was AWESOME as Fenster

 

[FischerKing]

Originally posted by maddogkf
I loved this film! I thought Bel Toro was AWESOME as Fenster

Yeah - I think that is my favorite role for him so far.

Shawn

 

[abomb]

Watched it last night for the second time, but first in 5-6 years.

It was cool watching it again, knowing what I know.

 

[FArting]

rented it from the library good cast and good movie