The Usual Suspects is one of the AFI’s 10 best mysteries. (I was pretty sure that it was also one of the 100 Years, 100 Thrills, but I apparently made that up. It should have been, though!)
I’m pretty sure that the first viewing of The Usual Suspects is one of the best movie experiences ever. (Subsequent viewings are also great, but there’s something to be said for the experience of the click when everything comes together and it all becomes clear.)
I love this movie and while watching it yesterday, it occurred to me that it’s very similar to Breaking Bad. (Spoiler here.) The perception of Verbal Kint is basically the perception of Walter White, but of course perception is so far away from reality in both cases. Verbal is, of course, Keyser Soze and Walt is Heisenberg. And they are both terrifying, all mild-mannered acts aside.
The last couple minutes of The Usual Suspects are AMAZING. I love when the detective puts everything together as Verbal slowly makes his way outside. And my favorite part is when he gets outside and a few feet away and then just casually drops the gait of Verbal Kint and becomes full-on Keyser Soze.
Yes, the first time you see The Usual Suspects is great. But it also holds up on subsequent viewings, which is pretty impressive.
I concur. Also, I thought the whole cast was good, but Kevin Spacey definitely earned his Oscar. Brilliant.
Loved your review, Kelly! ‘The Usual Suspects’ is one of my favourite movies! Loved Kevin Spacey’s performance in it. I watched one of his early movies, ‘The Ref’, recently and loved that too. He is really a wonderful actor. I think he was perfect for the role of Verbal Klint. I haven’t watched ‘Breaking Bad’. Now, after seeing you comparing it with ‘The Usual Suspects’, I know why you love it so much :)
I recently re-watched this movie too and I completely agree with how well it holds up. Great flick.