Research - The Usual Suspects

Today we watched the film The Usual Suspects (directed by Bryan Singer, 1995)
We noted factors in the film that we thought defined a 'thriller' such as the plot and characters, we also noted different techniques used (camera shots, themes, music) so as to help develop ideas for our own thriller prequel.


 



 Opening Sequence:

• Recurring element theme of water? 
• Dark setting, steady water, no action, eerie, builds idea of dark plot
• Little happening, no complex plotlines to follow allows for the music to build the sequence up, adding tension as it reaches its crescendo

 Plot:

• Partial element of love story
• Poses lots of questions, setting up a narrative enigma
• Answers to questions answered slowly throughout keeping the audience's attention and desire to know the end result of the film
• Clues and red herrings throughout to encourage the audience to keep interest and watch out for these aspects
• Slightly difficult to follow, however this was justified by the final reveal at the ending

 Characters:

• All major characters bad in a sense, avoids stereotypical convention of good vs. bad
• Police acting against them so as to remind the audience of the fact the main characters are essentially villains
• Not all identities known, not a lot of information revealed about main characters either (more questions posed to audience)

Camera:

• There was a lot of establishing shots emphasizing the recognition for the good and relevant locations chosen (busy streets/ cities, caves)
• Close ups to show reactions, helping the audience empathize with the characters as the plot sometimes became difficult to follow
• Over the shoulder shots used often when a certain character was exchanging dialogue with another to show the dominance 

Editing:

• Flashbacks used to allow audience to gain an understanding of the previous story, slowly allowing them to work out the plot

Sound:

• The music throughout was usually slow and drawn out, the use of instruments such as the piano and violin which are usually associated with sorrowful music gave a chilling effect when played together
• The music also added suspense due to the build up towards the crescendo's linking in with the changes in action and mood within the film

Mise-en-Scene:

• The locations tended to be (as mentioned above) busy cities to emphasize the action and chaos taking place or dark, eerie hidden places like caves or warehouses, adding even more fear into the already fast paced plot
• A lot of scenes set at night enforcing an already present fear the night poses to many, adds even more tension and danger to the plot