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Rating: 4.25 out of 5
“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist. And like that… he is gone.”
The Usual Suspects is one of those films that you sit back and didn’t see the major twist at the end. Anyone who said they figured out the whole thing or saw it coming is full of sugar honey iced tea. As time has gone on, the movie hasn’t aged too well as many films seem to have a twist ending. Yet, this one was a game-changer and has been spoofed many times over. Also, this was before Kevin Spacey went all weird with his life. Strap in and get ready for a pretty good and entertaining mystery.
The Usual Suspects is a neo-noir, mystery, thriller type film directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. The story follows the interrogation of Roger “Verbal” Kint (Spacey), a small-time con man, who somehow and someway is one of only two survivors of a massacre and fire on a ship at the Port of Los Angeles. Verbal is questioned by U.S. Customs Agent Dave Kujan (Palminteri). Verbal sticking somewhat to the code of not being a snitch loosens up and begins to tell Dave the beginning of how he became part of a crew with four other criminals. The men are Dean Keaton (Byrne), Michael McManus (Baldwin), Fred Fenster (del Toro), and Todd Hockney (Pollak). While discussing what was going on, the five men decided to join forces and successfully hijack a jewel shipment before laying low in the city of angels. Soon the men are contacted by stone-faced Kobayashi (Postlethwaite), who represents the one and only Keyser Söze. Keyser is known worldwide as a criminal who killed his family because they were captured. The dude is no joke. After messing with one of Keyer’s jobs, Keyser recruits the men for a job. The job is to attack a cargo ship that is bringing in drugs. As Verbal tells his side of the story, it is soon realized that nothing appears to be truthful.
Honestly, this is one mystery film where you might scratch your head and go; damn, didn’t see that shit happening. This film excels with the storytelling by the main character, Roger ‘Verbal’ Kint, who draws you slowly in from the beginning when you meet that cast of characters in the police lineup. Verbal is so freaking good at keeping your attention that you want to hear his story and how the crew ended up in a predicament.
First, the beginning draws you in as Dean Keaton lies badly wounded on a ship docked. Homeboy wants to blow up the boat, and as a fire trail goes, someone pisses on it to stop it. He is then confronted by a mysterious figure he calls “Keyser.” Then abruptly, gun downed, followed by Keyser setting the boat on fire. The next day we learn that the police recover twenty-seven bodies along with only two survivors: Arkosh Kovash, a Hungarian mobster hospitalized with severe burns, and Roger “Verbal” Kint, a con artist with cerebral palsy.
The set-up for the film is almost perfect. It deals with U.S. Customs agent Dave Kujan interrogating Verbal is a borrowed LAPD office. As you hear Verbal recall his story on how the men came together to form a group and perform heists, you think they know what they are doing until they mess with the wrong person. That person is the mysterious Turkish crime lord Keyser Söze, from whom each of the men has unwittingly stolen. How is Keyser introduced, through his right-hand man, Kobayashi, who is, at first glance is, someone you really don’t want to mess with. Homeboy dresses in black and looks like he will kill you and keep going. Verbal tells the tale of Keyser is one of intimidation and fear because the man killed his family to make a point. The film does a great job of making you want to know more about the legendary killer.
During the climax, the movie does an excellent job of putting a bow on this story. The crew goes on one last heist to raid a ship holding Argentinian drug dealers and destroy $91 million worth of cocaine being sold on board. As you watch, you think the raid is going well until member after member of the crew is killed. The ultimate twist comes at the end. You probably heard it many times or have seen it, but it’s a wow moment for me. The ultimate mastermind thinks of a story off the fly and tells it so well that it fools everyone from the characters and audience.
Each actor played their character well, but Kevin Spacey as Roger “Verbal” Kint was the one to steal the movie. Spacey was so good as Verbal that when you watched him, you know he is a crook, but cerebral palsy made him seem weak and non-threat. You honestly think he is the weak link in the chain, but the dude is evil, and the way Spacey presented him should be applauded.
The other characters were there, but some were easily forgettable than the others. Gabriel Byrne as Dean Keaton was okay. You think that since he is the group leader, he was the main character and focal point. Oh, how little does everyone know that he is a side character. Stephen Baldwin as Michael McManus was the wild one who has temper and wild card. Baldwin played him like the crazy person with a gun’s impeccable aim. Dude shot two dudes during a fight. Benicio del Toro as Fred Fenster was cool, but it seemed like he wasn’t in the movie that long. Half the time, I couldn’t understand him, and it seemed like he was killed off and never seen again. Chazz Palminteri as Agent Dave Kujan was outstanding and actually made it seem worthwhile to see Spacey do his thing. Palminteri just has that vibe that he gets a rise out of people when he performs and makes a scene great.
The Unusual Suspects is a mystery film that will not keep you on edge but focus on what the narrator tells you. Spacey is fantastic in this role as Verbal and the rest of the cast, but Spacey makes this film go. The plot is pretty good as you can’t help but listen to Verbal, and when the introduction of Keyser Söze happens, you know things mean business. Watch this film and have fun seeing if you can guess the ending.
