The Usual Suspects (1994)

User Rating:

8.7/10   

Director:

Bryan Singer

Writer:

Christopher McQuarrie (written by)

Release Date:

16 August 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Five Criminals . One Line Up . No Coincidence

Plot:

A boat has been destroyed, criminals are dead, and the key to this mystery lies with the only survivor and his twisted, convoluted story beginning with five career crooks in a seemingly random police lineup.

Plot Keywords:

Criminal | New York | Suspect | Explosion | Revenge

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 22 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Stephen Baldwin	...	Michael McManus
Gabriel Byrne	...	Dean Keaton
Benicio Del Toro	...	Fred Fenster
Kevin Pollak	...	Todd Hockney
Kevin Spacey	...	Roger 'Verbal' Kint
Chazz Palminteri	...	Dave Kujan, US Customs
Pete Postlethwaite	...	Kobayashi
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Jack Baer, FBI
Suzy Amis	...	Edie Finneran
Dan Hedaya	...	Sgt. Jeffrey 'Jeff' Rabin
Paul Bartel	...	Smuggler
Carl Bressler	...	Saul Berg
Phillipe Simon	...	Fortier
Jack Shearer	...	Renault
Christine Estabrook	...	Dr. Plummer

Also Known As:

Die üblichen Verdächtigen (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and a substantial amount of strong language.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English | Hungarian | Spanish | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Philippines:R-18 | India:A | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Canada:14A | Chile:18 | Denmark:16 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Hungary:16 | Ireland:18 | Italy:T | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | Singapore:PG (cut) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Trivia:

The character of 'Fenster' was originally conceived as the oldest man of the group, a more seasoned veteran. Benicio Del Toro was originally asked to audition for the role of McManus. Benicio asked to audition for the role of Fenster, telling the director that he had an 'idea' for the part. The unintelligible way that Fenster spoke was Benicio's idea, and the director decided to go with it.

Goofs:

Continuity: Level of coffee in the mugs in the interview room.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Keyser Soze: How you doing Keaton?
Keaton: I can't feel my legs... Keyser.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "CSI: Miami: Fade Out (#4.14)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

LE SONS ET LES PARFUMS TOURNENT DANS L'AIR DU SOIR

The most enjoyment you'll have seeing a movie for the *second* time

Ah, the Usual Suspects. My personal favorite movie of all time. Don't let my bias be a fool. Perhaps it's not THE best movie ever, but it's one that I never get tired of.

If you like flash and bikinis and breath-taking camera angles, you won't find them here. Usual Suspects is not an "epic," and it doesn't pretend to be. It's a modestly-budgeted piece by a fresh director (who later went on to do the X-Men movies, a FAR departure).

A great, gritty script, beautifully-acted characters, and what many have called the greatest movie ending of all time, are some of the shining qualities that make the Usual Suspects an object worthy of praise above its humble-looking shell.

The casting is very unusual but somehow fits perfectly. Gabriel Byrne is convincing as the ex-con trying to build a new life when he gets drawn back into his old life. Stephen Baldwin has the role of his career as the smart-mouthed and cocky professional. Kevin Pollak takes a big departure from his usual good comedy self to take a more dramatic role. Benicio del Toro literally takes a one-dimensional character with absolutely nothing in the script to give him character, and he fleshes it out with brilliant mannerisms and memorable mumbling to show incredible acting creativity. Kevin Spacey as we know him was born from this movie. His manners and fast-talking yet shy gimp nature are a treat to listen to throughout the flick.

Without giving away the plot, the best and most genius parts of the movie are the subtleties. After you see the ending, and the truth hits you like a ton of bricks, you have to watch it again. On the second time through, you'll jump up and point at the screen whenever you spot a clue you missed the first time. It's even possible to watch the movie multiple times and see something new with every viewing. It's that attention to detail that make the deceptively innocent-looking Usual Suspects one of the greatest movies of all time.