A poster boy for the mystery thriller

Rating: 9/10 (21 March 2020)

The 90's was a decade in film history where a new generation of soon-to-be-famous directors (notably Tarantino and Bryan Singer) stepped into the limelight alongside pros like Scorsese, Copolla and Spielberg. The Usual Suspects is a gem of this era, borrowing traits of the classic noir film and coupling them with a wonderfully convoluted plot to produce a movie for the ages.
Having watched it twice, I find it remarkable that most of what impressed me on the first viewing retained the same quality the second time around.
Although the effect of the twist ending was admittedly dulled having seen it once, this is clearly more a property of twists in general than a fault of the one in the film, which, is one that will truly blow you away. Despite being rather a one-trick pony of a plot, the beginning and middle of the narrative are vivid enough to keep the viewer engrossed, with a few refreshing moments of comic relief thrown in.
Kevin Spacey's masterpiece in acting cannot go unmentioned. In a deservedly Oscar-winning performance as Verbal Kint, Spacey demonstrates his unique skill of portraying a very layered character. Looks may indeed be deceiving.
John Ottman's score, at times chillingly suspenseful and at times eerily suggestive, is a perfect musical companion to the events that unfold. Inspiring numerous ripoffs including one sadly distasteful Bollywood remake, The Usual Suspects is as entertaining today as it must have been 25 years ago, a film that is a cult classic for a reason.