Great Acting, Great Direction, Great Writing - Recipe For Great Movie

Rating: 8/10 (15 February 2008)

The Usual Suspects is a very well written and directed thriller that keeps us guessing to the very end. It is refreshing that such a complex movie has so few weak aspects to it. Thinking back, I cannot remember any at all. I note that one reviewer stated that he has seen this many times and still finds fresh interest in it. It is indeed superbly acted and I was pleased to see that others rate it very highly. It is also a very well balanced movie without anyone that I would rate as a stand-out star, although there were many starring performances. Spacey, Byrne, Pollak, Baldwin, Palminteri, Hadaya, the list goes on/ All added that special something that makes a great movie. Postlethwaite's accent had me guessing, but that may be my failing rather than his.
It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway, that the writers and directors must have been at the top of their game also, to create what is a really great movie. I will no doubt watch it again before very long.