Certain events in The Usual Suspects are presented a number
In Bryan Singer's 'The Usual Suspects' we are presented with a number of different situations where character opinion and manipulation alters the view we get of a scene. A prime example of this is the contradictory manifestations that arise from the character of 'Keyser Soze', whose true identity is shown in various ways from different characters points of view. The boat scene is also an integral part of the mystery where the events that occur are presented slightly differently in relation to the character that is telling them. It is this multiple focalization that has created the question as to whether the film has an open or closed ending and because of the differing presentations from Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey) the ending can be argued in favour of each case. Without Verbal's overall presentation of events the mystery to the story would be lost and it is this stylistic presentation that allows him to manipulate the audience and Agent Kujan (Chazz Palminteri), which in turn emphasises the intelligence and power that he possesses.The opening visual dynamics immediately presents us with a scene that will be replayed a number of times and the contrasting mia scoro in the boat scene symbolises the struggle for life against quick
At the police station Verbal asks for some coffee, which is refused, but he talks until he gets what he wants: "I'm really thirsty-I used to dehydrate as a kid. But once again the audience, who may have dismissed his comment, have overlooked its purpose in showing Verbal/Keyser's intentions after the interrogation. " On first encounter with this statement it appears that Verbal is merely enhancing the myth about Keyser Soze and that he has the power to simply disappear, whilst maintaining an invincible reputation. It is ironic that Kujan tells Verbal, "I'm smarter than you", as this statement will be thrown back in Kujan's face a thousand fold. The stylistic presentation of the dropping of the coffee mug symbolises what is essentially the dropping of a bombshell in that Verbal has been manipulating Kujan the whole time and using his own police work against him. It if you find a body and you think his brother did it, you're gonna find out you're right". The presentation of the scene is affective in its simplicity; we are not presented with any kind of build up to the situation on the boat, neither do we know who Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne) is or why he is on the floor and we are not aware of who Keyser Soze is and the power that he possesses. The clear contrast in the way Verbal reflects on events in the boat scene to the way things are presented initially helps to emphasise his cunning and subtle power and it is through his storytelling techniques that we are able to learn more about his character, particularly after we learn that he is in fact the omnipotent Keyser Soze. However, upon reflection we can see that this is not the case. There's no mystery to the street, no arch criminal behind it all. The ironic thing about this however, is that a lot of the information Verbal gives has been manipulated and the only thing we can really be shore of is the little information we are presented with in the opening boat sequence. This means that we, like Agent Kujan are being manipulated into thinking that Keyser Soze could be one of a number of subtly obvious people though clearly not Verbal due to his handicap and inability to impose his will on other people. Verbal explains events leading up to the explosion on the boat and because of this the audience get a better interpretation of how and why events are occurring, in contrast to the beginning scene which leaves a number of matters unresolved.
Common topics in this essay:
Keyser Soze,
Agent Kujan,
Usual Suspects',
Verbal I'm,
Soze Verbal's,
Chazz Palminteri,
Kevin Spacey,
Verbal Kint's,
Soze Due,
keyser soze,
agent kujan,
Gabriel Byrne,
coffee mug,
events boat,
stylistic presentation,
boat scene,
information verbal,
dean keaton,
dean keaton keyser,
soze power,
kujan manipulated,
dropping coffee mug,
keaton keyser soze,
keyser soze power,
|
Acceptance Essays
