Bryan Singer's sophomore effort is a labyrinth masterpiece of deception that demands further viewings, even when the end reveal has effectively told the audience the preceding two hours have been a complete fabrication. Only Christopher Nolan's Memento has utilised the "unreliable narrator" motif as effectively (in recent years at least) and so shockingly. Whilst this kind of "fuck you" to the audience would normally irritate most, Singers attention to detail creates a plot twist that defies scrutiny and is completely infallible, much like Fincher's Fight Club.
Spacey won a deserved Oscar for his role as Verbal Kint, however, the main focus is Gabriel Byrne's Dean Keaton. His character is the most complex and the most compelling. We should hate him, he's corrupt to the bone and, outside his relationship with his lawyer/squeeze, is self orientated, yet we feel sympathy and compassion for a man who has at least tried to do better, despite his morally reprehensible behaviour.
Singer has faltered in recent years (Superman Returns bored us whilst Valkyrie was an entertaining mess) but at least he can be proud of his achievement with The Usual Suspects.
5/5
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