a really good throwback to film noir...

Rating: 9/10 (22 December 2000)

In the midst of the film noir revival that seems to have been sparked by the success of PULP FICTION, THE USUAL SUSPECTS turns out to be a really, really good movie with a strong script and strong performances. Most impressive, however, is the style in which it is filmed- it truly is a work of film noir, bested only by SWOON in it's deft handling of sticky, dark subject material, unlikely and unlikeable heroes, black humor and ultimately disturbing, edgy portraits of violence and the psychology of violence. Though in color, it still manages to maintain that dark, oppressive feeling of shadows and depression so essential to films of this nature, and the ending, even if you're not surprised (or someone told you what it was before you saw the film- as happened to me)is incredibly well executed and totally satisfying.