When the filmThe Usual Suspectswas released in 1995 nobody knew it would eventually be rated as one of the best films of all time.1The appeal of the film lies within its cleverly structured narrative and its unique way of making the viewer want to watch the film again in a different light.The Usual Suspectsis one of those films you have to watch at least twice to get close to the truth of what is being told. During the second watching you will ask yourself if you are really seeing the same film and the same character, because you were sure that Verbal Kint seemed incredibly harmless the first time around while he comes across very differently the second time. That is the question that shall be examined in the course of this paper in which I want to analyse how Bryan Singer, the film's director, achieved his aim of creating a completely innocent character in the course of the film, only to let the audience find out that Kint might be the criminal mastermind behind the whole scheme. How do the film-makers achieve the portrayal of the harmless Kint, and how does he come across in the second watching? By choosingThe Usual Suspects,this paper also serves as an example of how audiences can be manipulated. Therefore, I will also have a look at the role and the behaviour of an audience.
First of all, we will concern ourselves with a film theory developed by Kracauer examining the role of an audience and the effects films might have on it. We will analyse how audiences feel and behave during the experience of a film screening and how their minds function at the time. Secondly, I will shortly introduce the filmThe Usual Suspectswith its most important characters and its plot, before I, thirdly, want to go into the analysis of the creation of Verbal Kint's character, and scrutinise how Singer worked with narrative and technical means to leave behind a puzzled audience. To achieve that, I will pick a few scenes from the film and analyse them in respect to their filmic realisation.
I hope that this paper will thoroughly answer the question of how an audience let themselves be manipulated by a feature film and what effects certain filmic means can achieve if properly deployed. Towards the end, all the gathered information will shortly be summarised and a conclusion will be expressed.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Audience in Film Theories
- 2.1 Behaviour and Attitude towards Films in General
- 2.2 Manipulable Audience?
- 3 Background Information about The Usual Suspects
- 3.1 Character Constellation
- 3.2 Plot Summary
- 4 The Portrayal of Verbal Kint
- 4.1 Narrative Means to Create Kint's Innocence
- 4.2 Technical Means to Create Kint's Innocence
- 4.3 Hints to the truth
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes how the film-makers of The Usual Suspects created the shocking effect of the film's ending on its audience. It examines how director Bryan Singer portrayed Verbal Kint as an innocent character, only to later reveal a potentially different truth. The paper also explores the role and behavior of audiences in film, particularly their susceptibility to manipulation.
- Audience manipulation in film
- The portrayal of a seemingly innocent character
- Narrative and technical film techniques
- The impact of film on audience perception
- Audience engagement and identification with characters
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the enduring appeal and unique narrative structure of The Usual Suspects, emphasizing the film's ability to create a compelling viewing experience that requires multiple watchings for complete understanding. The paper's central question—how the film creates an innocent character only to later reveal potential guilt—is established. The methodology, including an examination of film theory and a close analysis of selected scenes, is outlined. The chapter also establishes the significance of the film as a case study for audience manipulation.
2 The Audience in Film Theories: This chapter delves into Siegfried Kracauer's film theory, focusing on the audience's behavior and attitudes in a cinematic setting. Kracauer's views on the audience's susceptibility to the moving image, their identification with onscreen characters, and the weakening of their consciousness in the darkened cinema are discussed. The chapter emphasizes the potential for manipulation inherent in this weakened state of consciousness, linking this to the film's central theme of audience deception and highlighting the potential for films to act as a form of propaganda. The limitations and criticisms of Kracauer's theory are acknowledged.
3 Background Information about The Usual Suspects: This chapter provides essential context by introducing the key characters and plot of The Usual Suspects. While a detailed plot summary is presented, the focus is on setting the scene for the subsequent analysis of Verbal Kint's character and the manipulation of the audience's perception. This chapter serves as a foundation for understanding the narrative complexities and character dynamics crucial to the film's impact.
Keywords
The Usual Suspects, audience manipulation, film theory, character portrayal, narrative techniques, cinematic techniques, Verbal Kint, audience perception, film analysis, suspense, twist ending.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Audience Manipulation in "The Usual Suspects"
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes how the filmmakers of "The Usual Suspects" manipulated the audience's perception of Verbal Kint, creating a shocking twist ending. It examines the film's narrative and technical techniques in achieving this effect, and explores the broader topic of audience manipulation in cinema.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include audience manipulation in film, the portrayal of a seemingly innocent character, narrative and technical film techniques, the impact of film on audience perception, and audience engagement and identification with characters. The paper uses "The Usual Suspects" as a case study to illustrate these themes.
What theoretical framework is used in the analysis?
The analysis draws upon Siegfried Kracauer's film theory, focusing on the audience's behavior and attitudes in a cinematic setting, and their susceptibility to manipulation through the moving image. The limitations and criticisms of Kracauer's theory are also acknowledged.
How is the analysis structured?
The paper is structured into chapters. It begins with an introduction outlining the central question and methodology. It then explores audience behavior in film theory, followed by background information on "The Usual Suspects," including its plot and characters. The core of the analysis delves into the portrayal of Verbal Kint, examining the narrative and technical means used to create his initially innocent persona and later reveal the potential truth. The paper concludes with a summary of findings.
What specific aspects of Verbal Kint's portrayal are analyzed?
The analysis examines the narrative and technical means used to create the impression of Verbal Kint's innocence. This includes an exploration of how the film's storytelling and visual elements contribute to the audience's initial perception of him.
What is the significance of "The Usual Suspects" as a case study?
"The Usual Suspects" is chosen as a case study due to its highly effective use of narrative manipulation and its lasting impact on viewers. Its complex plot and compelling characterization make it an ideal example for analyzing audience deception and the power of cinematic techniques.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries highlight the film's unique narrative structure and its ability to create a compelling viewing experience that requires multiple watchings. They emphasize the film's effectiveness in manipulating audience perception and the importance of understanding audience behavior in film analysis. Each chapter summary provides a brief overview of its specific focus and contribution to the overall argument.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Key words include: The Usual Suspects, audience manipulation, film theory, character portrayal, narrative techniques, cinematic techniques, Verbal Kint, audience perception, film analysis, suspense, twist ending.
- Quote paper
- Sarah Rusch (Author), 2006, "The Greatest Trick the Devil Ever Pulled Was Convincing the World He Didn't Exist" - An Analysis of How Film-makers of The Usual Suspects Achieved the Shocking Effect, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/63071
