The Usual Suspects

Tucson Weekly

DIRECTED BY: Bryan Singer

REVIEWED: 09-21-95

An interesting first film from director Bryan Singer, this combination caper film/mystery overburdens itself with plot while letting its ensemble cast of charismatic career criminals--Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, and Benicio Del Toro--go to waste after a potent start. As mysteries go, this one's payoff feels inadequate, but the movie is notable for the amount of energy it puts into its ongoing exposition of details. And thanks to a couple of strong key perfomances, the film's central idea stays with you: that of a huge, fearsome mind intelligent enough to manipulate all the other characters with precision and octopus-like simultaneity.

--Zachary Woodruff

Full Length Reviews
The Usual Suspects

Other Films by Bryan Singer
Apt Pupil

Film Vault Suggested Links
L.A. Confidential
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Heaven's Prisoners

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