The Usual Suspects (1995) - 9/10

The Usual Suspects is definitely an experience that rewards repeated viewings. This time around I decided to watch it with the commentary by director Bryan Singer and the writer who really seemed to enjoy talking about the details and backstory of how they pulled off one of the biggest surprise endings in movie history. Firstly talking about the amazing cast, I love how different they all are and to hear how they decided to bring them all in really helped understand the laughter on set during that first line-up which couldn't even get them a clean take. This idea of telling a story in hindsight but then playing it out from different perspectives is really why this movie works so well. I always find new ways to look at someone or realize that their motives were not what you think at first glance. The commentary goes into a lot of detail of when they used doubles to hide the secret, or just funny moments that made it onscreen like unlit cigarrettes or a crew member being used as an extra.

You have to give it to Singer and his writer for really pulling off a complicated yet thoroughly engaging story which they explain went through many revisions but ultimately came out where they wanted you to completely buy into this story Verbal gives you until the very end. For me, it's the little backstories they give the characters and the balance of action with humor to really flesh out the story with little details that are carried throughout which was just enough to keep me guessing. Commentaries are always worthwhile in painting a movie you've seen a lot in a different light and this was no different. From talking about how explosions on set were rigged to when they needed to drop hints in about languages, lighters, and props that make the story so believable to the cops. This will always be remember for it's ending which is genius, but for me watching it again this time was better b/c once you know who the killer is, you can focus on Spacey's maneurisms which show his true identiy but are hidden by the great performances surrounding him. What a classic.