18 ago 2011

The Usual Suspects

This 1995 film by Bryan Singer stars Kevin Spacey in a rather confusing plot. The title, of course, evokes a line from the classic film "Casablanca": "Round up the usual suspects." The movie lacked a convincing central character, although the acting was good for the most part.

I don't like the technique in which a character's narration is dramatized, but later shown to be a fabrication. A character can lie, but don't show us his lies using actors acting it out. For me, that is manipulative.

3 comentarios:

Andrew Shields dijo...

I find it annoying anytime something is acted out while a story is being told. Classic example: at the end of "Suddenly Last Summer," Elizabeth Taylor reveals what happened "last summer." On stage, it was probably spectacular to watch her tell the story, but in the film, her narration becomes voiceover.

Jonathan dijo...

I hate most voice-overs too. Show us don't tell us. Even when it works reasonably well, as in Goodfellas, I'd still rather not have it.

Josh dijo...

You're not a Rashomon fan?