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

Rating: 8/10 (20 September 2009)

I've seen "The Usual Suspects" several times since its release so it's somewhat difficult for me to judge it now. After all, once one unravels the film's central mystery it cannot possibly produce the same reaction again. That being said, the film is one of those instances whereby a repeat viewing is rewarding since actions and events take on a different meaning.
The cast is surprisingly good for a low-budget film. Securing Gabriel Byrne was a coup and Kevin Spacey delivered the goods in an Academy Award-winning performance. The rest of the cast includes dependable character actors like Pete Postlethwaite, Chazz Palminteri, Giancarlo Esposito & Dan Hedaya. Benicio del Toro stands out in a memorable supporting role but I have to say that Stephen Baldwin & Kevin Pollak leave something to be desired. Nevertheless, on the whole, the acting is in good hands.
However, it's the screenplay that justifiably gets most of the credit for making this film memorable. Opening with the aftermath of an apparent drug deal gone wrong, we're led through the preceding events as related by 'Verbal' Kint (Kevin Spacey). He tells of how the titular 'usual suspects' got together and how they came to be embroiled in a mystery that has the cops baffled. All of this leads to a climax that I can only say I hope no-one has spoiled for you.
On the technical side, Bryan Singer's direction is well-handled as he manages to imbue the film with a distinct sense of style without going overboard. Editor John Ottman also scored the picture and he did a fine job on both counts. The efforts of Singer & Ottman give the film a polish that defies its relatively low budget.
Ultimately, it's difficult for me to judge this film (or any film with a twist) since I've seen it multiple times. That being said, the fact that I have seen it multiple times shows that the vaunted twist is only a part of the film's appeal. Nevertheless, for a first time viewing I'd be tempted to bump the film's rating up to a 9 out of 10.