The Usual Suspects (1995)

User Rating:

8.7/10   

Director:

Bryan Singer

Writer:

Christopher McQuarrie (written by)

Release Date:

16 August 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Five Criminals . One Line Up . No Coincidence

Plot:

A boat has been destroyed, criminals are dead, and the key to this mystery lies with the only survivor and his twisted, convoluted story beginning with five career crooks in a seemingly random police lineup.

Plot Keywords:

Criminal | Suspect | New York | Explosion | Revenge

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 22 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Stephen Baldwin	...	Michael McManus
Gabriel Byrne	...	Dean Keaton
Benicio Del Toro	...	Fred Fenster
Kevin Pollak	...	Todd Hockney
Kevin Spacey	...	Roger 'Verbal' Kint
Chazz Palminteri	...	Dave Kujan, US Customs
Pete Postlethwaite	...	Kobayashi
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Jack Baer, FBI
Suzy Amis	...	Edie Finneran
Dan Hedaya	...	Sgt. Jeffrey 'Jeff' Rabin
Paul Bartel	...	Smuggler
Carl Bressler	...	Saul Berg
Phillipe Simon	...	Fortier
Jack Shearer	...	Renault
Christine Estabrook	...	Dr. Plummer
Clark Gregg	...	Dr. Walters
Morgan Hunter	...	Arkosh Kovash
Ken Daly	...	Translator
Michelle Clunie	...	Sketch Artist
Louis Lombardi	...	Strausz
Frank Medrano	...	Rizzi
Ron Gilbert	...	Daniel Metzheiser, Dept. of Justice
Vito D'Ambrosio	...	Arresting Officer
Gene Lythgow	...	Cop on Pier
Robert Elmore	...	Bodyguard #1 (as Bob Elmore)
David Powledge	...	Bodyguard #2
Bob Pennetta	...	Bodyguard #3
Billy Bates	...	Bodyguard #4 (as Bill Bates)
Smadar Hanson	...	Keyser's Wife
Castulo Guerra	...	Arturro Marquez
Peter Rocca	...	Jaime, Arturro's Bodyguard
Bert Williams	...	Old Cop in Property
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jaime Campos	...	Police Officer (uncredited)
John Gillespie	...	(uncredited)
Peter Greene	...	Redfoot the Fence (uncredited)
Michael McKay	...	Cop in Hallway (uncredited)
Christopher McQuarrie	...	Interrogation Cop (uncredited)
Scott B. Morgan	...	Keyser Söze (in flashback) (uncredited)
Michael Robert Nyman	...	N.Y. Uniform Cop (uncredited)
Grace Sinden	...	Nurse (uncredited)

Directed by
Bryan Singer

Writing credits
Christopher McQuarrie		(written by)

Produced by
Hans Brockmann	....	executive producer
François Duplat	....	executive producer
Art Horan	....	executive producer
Robert Jones	....	executive producer
Kenneth Kokin	....	co-producer
Michael McDonnell	....	producer
Bryan Singer	....	producer

Original Music by
John Ottman

Cinematography by
Newton Thomas Sigel

Film Editing by
John Ottman

Casting by
Francine Maisler

Production Design by
Howard Cummings

Art Direction by
David Lazan

Set Decoration by
Sara Andrews

Costume Design by
Louise Mingenbach

Makeup Department
David P. Barton	....	special makeup designer (as David Barton)
Michelle Barton	....	special makeup effects crew: Modus
Michelle Bühler	....	key makeup artist
Chris Cantley	....	special makeup effects crew: Modus
Raqueli Dahan	....	assistant hair stylist
Raqueli Dahan	....	assistant makeup artist
David Greathouse	....	special makeup effects crew: Modus
Kimberly Greene	....	makeup swing
Richard Maybery	....	special makeup effects crew: Modus
Barbara Olvera	....	key hair stylist
Yolanda Squatpump	....	special makeup effects crew: Modus

Production Management
Vicky Herman	....	production supervisor
Jane Raab	....	production manager: New York
Michael Tinger	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Athena Alexander	....	second second assistant director
James D. Deck	....	first assistant director (as James Deck)
Kenneth Kokin	....	second unit director
David Marcellino	....	assistant director: New York (as Dave Marcellino)
Alan Steinman	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Angel Acosta	....	assistant property master
William Bastiani	....	set construction laborer
Charles Billen Jr.	....	set construction laborer
Tony Bonaventura	....	property master
Peter Borck	....	lead person
John Coven	....	storyboard artist
Joseph W. Grafmuller	....	swing (as Joseph Grafmuller)
Steven Ingrassia	....	swing
Maria Jaramillo	....	scenic artist
Mark Meloccaro	....	art department coordinator
Celia Parker	....	set construction laborer
R.A. Tony Poland	....	set construction laborer (as Ray Poland)
Thomas Power	....	shopper
Thomas Power	....	swing
Scott Saunders	....	assistant property master
Phillip Schneider	....	lead scenic
Liz Shaner	....	set construction laborer
Diane Taylor	....	set construction laborer
Lorri Wakefield	....	art department production assistant
Caroline Wallner	....	set construction laborer
Francis Whitebloom	....	on-set dresser

Sound Department
David Behle	....	recordist
George Berndt	....	adr supervisor
Richard Burton	....	sound effects editor
Rick Canelli	....	adr recordist
Claudette Cucci	....	foley artist
John T. Cucci	....	foley artist (as John Cucci)
Robert Deschaine	....	foley mixer (as Robert Deshaine)
Sukey Fontelieu	....	dialogue editor
Leigh French	....	adr coordinator
Don Givens	....	foley recordist
Jack Keller	....	recordist
Jonathan Klein	....	foley editor
Tricia Linklater	....	assistant sound editor
Robert J. Litt	....	re-recording mixer (as Robert Litt)
Chuck Michael	....	supervising sound editor
Nash Michael	....	sound effects editor
Thomas J. O'Connell	....	adr mixer
Mark Pappas	....	foley supervisor
Paul Parsons	....	assistant sound editor
Geoffrey Patterson	....	sound mixer
Randy Piotroski	....	foley mixer (as Randy Petroski)
Charleen Richards	....	adr mixer
Greg P. Russell	....	re-recording mixer
David Spence	....	dialogue editor
Greg Steele	....	adr recordist
Donald Sylvester	....	adr editor
Tami Treadwell	....	foley recordist (as Tammy Treadwell)
Elliot Tyson	....	re-recording mixer
Karen G. Wilson	....	sound effects editor (as Karen Wilson)
Craig Woods	....	boom operator
Brydon Baker III	....	boom operator (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Roy L. Downey	....	special effects coordinator (as Roy Downey)
Greg Hendrickson	....	special effects foreman

Visual Effects by
David B. Long	....	digital playback supervisor

Stunts
Billy Bates	....	stunts (as William Bates)
Ken Blazer	....	stunts
Michael Carr	....	stunts
Ashley Casino	....	stunts
John Casino	....	stunts
Fernando Celis	....	stunts
Max Daniels	....	stunts
Joe Dunne	....	stunts
Diamond Farnsworth	....	stunts
Alex Gaona	....	stunts
John Gillespie	....	stunts
Bob Havice	....	stunts
Ethan Jensen	....	stunt coordinator: second unit
Gary Jensen	....	stunt coordinator
Billy Judkins	....	stunts (as Bill Judkins)
Pat Millicano	....	stunts
Ryan Patrick Ross	....	stunts
Harry Wowchuk	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Bob Amerian	....	gaffer: second unit
Ken Beymer	....	grip
Robert Bonilla	....	electrician
Arthur Borquez	....	electrician
Craig A. Brink	....	electrician (as Craig Brink)
Caroline Burton	....	still photographer
Robert C. Carlson	....	first assistant camera (as Robert Carlson)
Jad Carmona	....	camera loader
Linda R. Chen	....	still photographer (as Linda Chen)
Kevin Dean	....	grip
Paul DeMarte	....	camera loader
Joseph Dianda	....	key grip (as Joey Dianda)
Andrea Dorman	....	first assistant camera: New York
Shawn Ensign	....	company grip
Michael A. FauntLeRoy	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (as Mike Fauntleroy)
Gergely Fonyó	....	first assistant camera: steadycam
Gregory Franklin	....	grip
Jim Frohna	....	electrician
David Gamerman	....	best boy
Eric J. Goldstein	....	director of photography: second unit (as Eric Goldstein)
Ross Guidici	....	grip
Bruce Hamme	....	dolly grip
Amy Hergoth	....	camera loader
Matt Jackson	....	grip
Bruce Douglas Johnson	....	additional photographer
John Johnson	....	still photographer
Greg Kidd	....	first assistant camera: second unit (as Gregg Kidd)
Steve Lynch	....	key grip: New York
Michael Stewart Maahs	....	electrician (as Michael Maahs)
Jerry L. Mandley	....	electrician (as Jerry Mandley)
Richard Maxey	....	grip
William J. McDevitt	....	grip (as William McDevitt)
Daniel McMahon	....	grip
Mike Parsons	....	electrician (as Michael Parsons)
Scott Patten	....	best boy grip
Linda Perry	....	grip
Reinhart 'Rayteam' Peschke	....	gaffer
Lockwood J. Pierson	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Darrin Pulford	....	electrician (as Darrin Pullford)
Shawn Rhodes	....	electrician
Lance Rieck	....	second assistant camera: New York
P. Scott Sakamoto	....	Steadicam operator (as Scott Sakamoto)
P. Scott Sakamoto	....	director of photography: second unit (as Scott Sakamoto)
Richard Sobin	....	second assistant camera
Chris Squires	....	Steadicam operator
Mary F. Stankiewicz	....	electrician: second unit (as Mary Stankiewicz)
Baird Steptoe	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
James M. Teiper	....	electrician (as James Teiper)
Paul Janossy	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Kathy Driscoll	....	casting associate
Judie Fixler	....	extras casting: New York
Lisa Miller	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Erin Beck	....	additional costumer
Lori Eskowitz	....	costume supervisor
Prudence Moriarty	....	wardrobe supervisor: New York
Caitlin Shamberg	....	costume assistant
Tara Spurlock	....	set costumer

Editorial Department
Roger Fenton	....	assistant editor
Jennifer Flynn	....	post-production coordinator
Andrew Gorry	....	apprentice editor
Gloria Kaiser	....	color timer
Kelley Pate	....	apprentice editor
Mary Beth Smith	....	negative cutter

Music Department
Dan Abernathy	....	music recording engineer
Larry Groupé	....	conductor (as Larry Groupe)
Larry Groupé	....	orchestrator (as Larry Groupe)
Darrell Harvey	....	music recording engineer
Lia Vollack	....	music editor
Lawrence Czoka	....	music preparation (uncredited)
John Ottman	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Dan Siegel	....	session musician (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Joseph Aroesti	....	transportation co-captain
Michael Banlowe	....	driver
Jody Bingenheimer	....	driver
Robin D. Bishop	....	driver
Joe Cosentino	....	driver
Joe Cosentino	....	transportation captain
Pat Cosentino	....	driver
Sherri Cosentino	....	driver
Frances Culp	....	driver
Angel Desanti	....	driver
Sean Dugen	....	driver
Eugene Farrington	....	driver
Antonio Franchi	....	driver
Johnathon Gorman	....	driver
Geno Hart	....	transportation coordinator
Glenn Knowlton	....	driver
Mark McDermitt	....	driver
Jeffrey L. Moore	....	driver (as Jeff Moore)
Steve Nickolai	....	driver (as Steve Nikolai)
Ken Plumlee	....	transportation captain
Ron Pope	....	transportation operations manager
William Smallwood	....	driver
Jerry Snaiczuk	....	driver
Randy Tenhaeff	....	driver
Mike Welch	....	driver
David D.B. Wilson	....	driver (as David Wilson)
Brian Apt	....	transportation office (uncredited)
William R. Peck	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Thomas D. Adelman	....	production coordinator (as Tom Adelman)
John Alvarez	....	security officer
Rachel Arno	....	office production coordinator
Michael Bentley	....	stand-in
Luke Bittel	....	intern
Yvette Brestyanszky	....	assistant to producers
Brad Carroll	....	production assistant: New York
Wendy Dallas	....	script supervisor
Robert Dawson	....	title designer
Tony Estrado	....	security officer
Matthew R. Eyraud	....	key set production assistant (as Matthew Eyraud)
Jennifer Flynn	....	assistant to producers and director
Ellen Francisco	....	craft service
Ashley R. Friedman	....	location manager (as Ashley Friedman)
Andrew Gorry	....	assistant: Mr. Singer
John Herget	....	first aid
Lynn Hockin	....	assistant accountant
Damon Intrabartolo	....	assistant: Mr. Ottman
Josh R. Jaggars	....	production assistant (as Josh Jaggars)
Jun C. Lin	....	location assistant (as Jun Lin)
Jana Ludwigova	....	script supervisor: second unit
David Markland	....	office production coordinator
Mike James Masumoto	....	set production assistant (as Michael Masumoto)
Haley McLane	....	additional script supervisor
Douglas Morton	....	assistant production coordinator
David Pollack	....	unit publicist (as David Pollick)
Andrea Celandine Rice	....	office production coordinator
Chanel Salzer	....	location manager
Greg Schnabel	....	location manager: New York
Alexandra Schultze	....	assistant to producers
George Sheanshang	....	finance and distribution counsel
Deborah Tabak	....	set production assistant
Johnny Tonini	....	stand-in
Brian A. Williams	....	production accountant
Baker Winokur Ryder	....	publicist
Petra Jorgensen	....	script supervisor: second unit (uncredited)
Bertram McCann	....	marine coordinator (uncredited)
Carsten Meyer-Grohbrügge	....	assistant: Francois Duplant (uncredited)
Scott B. Morgan	....	intern (uncredited)
Abigail Sheiner	....	first assistant accountant: preparation (uncredited)

Production Companies

• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
• Spelling Films International
• Blue Parrot
• Bad Hat Harry Productions
• Rosco Film GmbH

Distributors

• Nea Kinisi (1995) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1995) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Asmik Ace Entertainment (Japan)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video
• Filmax Home Video (2003) (Spain) (DVD)
• Filmes Lusomundo (Portugal)
• Gramercy Pictures (I)
• Home Video Hellas (HVH) (1996) (Greece) (VHS)
• Image Entertainment (USA) (laserdisc)
• LW Editora (2005) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Líder Films (Argentina)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (USA) (VHS)
• Pan Européenne Distribution (1995) (France)
• Paramount Home Video (2006) (Brazil) (DVD) (reissue)
• PolyGram Home Video (USA) (DVD)
• PolyGram Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• PolyGram Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• REP Distribution (Australia)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (Argentina) (video)
• Ufilms (Spain)

Other Companies

• Acme Soundworks Studio  sound editing
• Alexander, Halloran, Nau & Rose  production counsel
• Avon Studio Transport  transportation
• Bank of America  production financing
• Buena Vista Imaging  titles and opticals
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies
• Charter Connection  marine coordination
• Film Finance  completion bond services
• Mario's Catering  catering
• Milan Records  soundtrack published by
• Newmarket Capital Group  production financing
• Picture Cars Inc.  transportation: New York
• R.E.D. Productions  titles
• RHH/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  production insurance
• Screenplay Systems  budgeting
• Screenplay Systems  scheduling
• Studio West  music recording and mixing
• TBS Casting  extras casting
• Warner Hollywood Studios  re-recording facility

Also Known As:

Die üblichen Verdächtigen (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and a substantial amount of strong language.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English | Hungarian | Spanish | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Philippines:R-18 | India:A | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Canada:14A | Chile:18 | Denmark:16 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Hungary:16 | Ireland:18 | Italy:T | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | Singapore:PG (cut) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Trivia:

Throughout the movie, 'fuck' and its derivatives are used 98 times.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the lineup scene, as Fenster reads the card, Keaton's right hand is over his mouth (trying to cover his laughter, see Trivia) while his left hand underneath his jacket. As the angle changes, his left hand is now on his face and his right hand is under the jacket.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Keyser Soze: How you doing Keaton?
Keaton: I can't feel my legs... Keyser.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Daisy Does... (2006)

Soundtrack:

STEPPIN' OUT

A Gang Formed During A Police Lineup

Five hoodlums are hauled into a police station in a dragnet roundup of The Usual Suspects that are brought in for questioning when something big breaks. Good chance any one or all could have been involved. If you remember in the film The Brink's Job, there is a scene where within a day a lot of Boston's known hoodlums are brought in for questioning. The dragnet brought in Stephen Baldwin, Bernicio DelToro, Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, and Kevin Pollak. From this motley crew a gang is born.

Flash forward to several years later when there is a horrific fire on board a freighter where there has been a gun battle with many deaths. Kevin Spacey managed to survive along with two others of the freighter crew and is being questioned in the police station by US Customs Agent Chazz Palmenteri and LA cop Dan Hedaya.

After a couple of other jobs, this crew winds up working for a criminal mastermind from the Balkans who is known as Keyser Sose who is known to be so ruthless that the criminal population itself is scared to death. This guy is spoken of like he was Satan himself and of course the police want him big time also.

I can't say much more because the plotting of The Usual Suspects is so intricate and filled with unexpected twists that to spoil this film would be a crime itself. Some here like Stephen Baldwin give their best performances on screen. Kevin Spacey won his first Oscar, this one in the Best Supporting Actor category. The category has me stumped because it's his character that's the key to the whole film. The other Oscar The Usual Suspects won was for Christopher McQuarrie for one highly original Screenplay.

The Usual Suspects has enough action for those who crave that, especially when we do see the final battle on that freighter and it's also some highly literate dialog for those who appreciate that. It's best compared to that granddaddy of all caper films The Asphalt Jungle, it's that good.