"The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."

Rating: 10/10 (14 July 2011)

A+ I haven't looked much into the mystery genre, but I must say this film drew me in with ease and intrigued me even more so once the credits rolled. I definitely recommend viewing it more than once, because seeing it just one time is nowhere enough to soak up all the details. With each viewing you pick up more, and, as I have, garner a greater appreciation for this movie. It is helmed by Bryan Singer, who directs his films by focusing on atmosphere and character.
The characters are very interesting ones and the performances are pretty awesome. Stephen Baldwin (McManus), Kevin Pollak (Hockney), and Benicio del Toro(Fenster) are very good at their roles. Pete Postlethwaite was excellent as Kobayashi with his icy composure. The film mostly centers on Keaton (Gabriel Byrne), a man of a dubious past and even more threatening cunning. Kevin Spacey is as talented as ever, giving off the fragile nature that mask Verbal Kint, and Agent Kujan's search for the truth of what really happened on that bloody night at the harbor. Despite many of these men appearing imposing the brilliant screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie cleverly turns the con men into pawns of a much bigger ploy than they planned for. And before I forget, John Ottoman is a grand composer, creating music that is chilling and never overplays the moment at hand.
It's such a great mystery that the film will turn your many assumptions on their head multiple times. It is a thinking movie, and those looking for mindless action should look elsewhere.