MovieChat Forums > The Usual Suspects (1995) Discussion > This was a dangerous film for the psyche...

This was a dangerous film for the psyche... be warned!

posted a year ago by AnagramYYZ (606)
23 replies | jump to latest

Unfortunately, it seemed all too common where if one points out that something shouldn't be seen, everyone has to stop and take a look. I don't want to build it up too much. I secretly enjoy this film, partly for the mystery and suspense, great performances, and a whole lot of nostalgia. If you want to watch it for the first time, I won't stop you. I don't burn books or other subversive art. I would suggest The Usual Suspects falls into this category though.

I find it to be gay-culture propagandistic by Kevin Spacey and director, Bryan Singer, who both benefitted the most due to it's reputation. I'm glad neither of them have the same sort of clout as they used to. I celebrate Christopher McQuarrie, on the other hand, for winning an Oscar for this. I think his screenplay was a traditional mystery of great quality, and was hijacked by Singer to visually be something intrusive to our mind and ethics. An attempt at indoctrination and brainwashing.

I know homophobia is a bad word nowadays, but I'd like to make a suggestion that may offend some. It seems humanity tends towards having a certain slice of animosity and conflict in their lives. The powers-that-be know this. This is why wars are still a focus and a business. For most, these events happen far from our line-of-sight, and they give us something to supplant our hatred in a way that doesn't intrude on our daily lives and relationships. We are still productive and non-violent. Nobody wants to sing "Kumbaya" and hold hands, because it seems belittling, so we have angst. I don't want to drop bombs and invade countries anymore, though. I find the human race can be in harmony.

At what cost, though? Where do we redirect our conflict?

Why don't we declare war on the gays? Figuratively. I think everyone should feel comfortable bullying this minority, but no other. Just keep it fun and not too devastating. We are doing a hell of a lot now to be culturally diverse and inclusive, but someone needs to pay the piper. If you respect humanity on a scientific level, the species, then the LGBT (what 7% total?) are a natural choice for outcast. They are biologically-selected for abuse.

Bryan Singer, a gay man who made this film, and the X-Men films knows this. In case you weren't aware, the persecuted mutants of the X-Men series were designed to draw a parallel to homosexuals. The man does propaganda. He may be fearful and probably thinks it's self-preservation to brainwash youth, but that's not the case. Hardly anyone wants demean, destroy, arrest, or deny his rights. Not even me who's quite obviously not thrilled about gays in general. You see, he's projecting his own depravity. That's why we should fear him just as society rejected Marvel's famous mutants, in his own films.

The Usual Suspects film had far too much affect on my generation, who were teenagers at the time of release. Toxic Masculinity. Celebration of criminals at the expense of law enforcement. A huge twist ending for us which distracts from the mise en scène that he's using to infect and incept our minds with counter-values.

Watch it, but remember this. Customs Agent Dave Kujan (Palminteri) & FBI Agent Jack Baer (Esposito) are who we all aspire to be. Keyser Soze is a loser. Tell your kids.

[–] moviechatterer (15583) a year ago

Have you ever looked at it this way:

The more gays there are the less competition there is for real alpha manly mans like yourself?

[–] AnagramYYZ (606) a year ago

I don't really care about forging relationships. I mostly just like to read and to learn. Since I spend so much time doing so, and have expanded my mind vastly, I figured movie reviews and other such cultural analysis may benefit others. I'm the wise old man here, and so that's how you'll think of me.

The prime use of this film, The Usual Suspects, nowadays should be as a lecture in the general curriculum used as a suitable example of how propaganda is made and what it might look like.

I have no concern about Singer's lifestyle, btw. I just think his values are likely to be skewed and cause confusion, especially as they are aimed towards children and young adults who will be impressionable. I don't think he should make popular art. He should be cancelled.

I'm a Democrat, btw.

[–] moviechatterer (15583) a year ago

do you think young adults who will be impressionable can be tricked into being gay?

[–] AnagramYYZ (606) a year ago

No, but they may be tricked into being anti-social, ungracious, non-complimentary, or even criminalistic if they're not gay. This is where the issue gets me—gays and straights reacting to the same material differently due to lack of sexual stimuli.

I don't think the film would be made, as it is, today. So that's progress. Maybe Singer himself regrets some choices even, and I'm being too hard on him.

I do enjoy it. But this is my attempt at a warning label. A prankster made this funky movie and don't take it in too much.

[–] 123Guy (7259) a year ago

wow.
there are so many disconnected parts to this... I respect that it makes sense to you, but, what the hell?
this doesn't even sound like it has anything to do with THIS MOVIE.
and it affecgted you deeply? My god... it's just a movie. Not even a DEEP one at that.

something something gay rights, something homophobia something war something THIS movie?
I'm normal, and sick and tired of gay shit in my face all the time, but THIS MOVIE? wut?

as we say in the 80s, CHECK PLEASE!! :D

I respect the innate right for people to attach whatever they like in movies (Star Wars is about ocean polution, for dumb example) but WOW, what the hell.

[–] AnagramYYZ (606) a year ago

This might be a good time to point out that I indeed try to inject a sense of humor in my OP, but it might be lost upon a lengthy review. I am not ranting, raving and spreading hate. Maybe I should use more :-) emojis? ;-)

This film doesn't feel right to me. Maybe it wasn't Singer. It could have been done at the behest of a studio or distributor. Fun watch, but go into it knowing there's something off with it—an underlying agenda that is unproductive.

Always remember, and say to yourself:

1. Cops are cool, not giant hard-ons
2. Physical disabilities are not indicative of mental weakness
3. Criminals are not smart, slick and savvy
4. Eddy Finneran is smoking hot, and I want to be a "lawyer's wife"
5. Hungarians and Turks *could* be barbaric drug-smugglers, but probably not always

and

6. Gays *could* be more passive aggressive and spiteful than you anticipate, and they generally may try make your life a living hell, but probably not always

[–] 123Guy (7259) a year ago

ah okay. i almost thought this kind of rant belonged in GENERAL, not some specific movie. I think I get it now.

BUT, we saw very different things. I enjoyed the movie on the surface, knowing nothing about Singer's sexuality, nor caring. None of what you FELT (?) existed for me. It was a fun, entertaining movie.
I didn't think the CHARACTER Spacey played was gay at all. Maybe I missed something.

I try not to read too many things into basic entertainment. Even if it is hidden there. It just needs to entertain.
But, too each their own.

[–] kwestmo (4385) 6 months ago

This dude is off his meds. Occam's' Razor.

[–] BKB (9877) a year ago

1st of all, this movie is pure Greatness on every level possible and to this day, TO THIS DAY, I still laugh out loud at how he duped that agent and made up the entire story including the bottom of the coffee cup he was drinking out of.. LOL!!!!!!!!!!! The movie was incredibly well done and gotta tell ya, I wasn't think about Bryan Singer's sexuality either, just that this was a very good movie..

[–] AnagramYYZ (606) a year ago

I did say that Christopher McQuarrie was well-deserved for an Oscar for his script. I just can’t figure out why Singer made obvious visual and casting decisions that elevated the criminality to levels of righteousness. McQuarrie thought higher of Kujan, Rabin and Baer, but their respectability was purposely diminished, and they were relegated to antagonists. They were cast with character actors known for their negative charisma vibes. Singer even had Baer smoke a cigar in the ICU near a burn victim.

I suspect Spacey had a hand in this plot scheme to corrupt our youth as well, considering he played a similar character in Se7en. Although, at least that film used Brad Pitt & Morgan Freeman to full affect as good guys we could get behind, support and empathize with.

[–] BKB (9877) a year ago

Dude, you have way over thought this movie to the point where it's almost like you're trying to find something to be offended about??

[–] Stratego (30494) a year ago

Drugs are bad, m'kay?

[–] [deleted] 10 months ago

I just did a re-watch on this recently. I was surprised at how blatant Singer was. I had never noticed the scene early on with Verbal and Keaton where Verbal says he's probably gonna "shit blood" in the morning. The language is so over-the-top, it should be obvious this is a movie for Singer and Spacey and their brethren. I don't know how many times they use the word cocksucker. Compare the profanity in this movie to the profanity in Goodfellas. Two very different takes on criminality.

[–] Foster1486 (494) 7 months ago

I'm a straight arrow and find you --- Anti-Queers--- funny and as disgusting as homo acts

I don't really care who anyone else sleeps with and don't want to hear about it

You Homophobes see homo connotations everywhere because YOU are NOT secure in your sexuality

This is a great movie about criminals

[–] Killermueck (170) 6 months ago

I also get strong closet vibes from this

[–] Foster1486 (494) 6 months ago

That's because your head is stuck up your ass

[–] kwestmo (4385) 6 months ago

Off the meds again, I see.

[–] Tina (725) 6 months ago

Sorry all I saw was a well made film about a group of criminals terrorized by Keyser Soze. I did not see any gay propaganda.
The director might have been homosexual, and the villain a homosexual actor but that's all. Well except I got the feeling that Keyser and Koboyashi had something more intimate between each other than just business.

[–] AnagramYYZ (606) 6 months ago

The crux of the issue is that the crafted antagonists are Kujan, Baer and the Dan Hedaya character. The cops!

They are all played in a characteristic manner by actors with negative charisma vibes.

A redblooded straight filmmaker would, instead, appreciate a “Dirty Harry” approach to taking on the crimelord and minions.

The mythological-elevated anti-hero, Keyzer Soze, is portrayed as tall, dark, faceless alpha who murdered his wife and kids to take on the underworld and law enforcement.

This is homosexual subversive art, and despite the R-rating, it was targeted at teens and young adults to further a gay or degenerate agenda.

[–] Tina (725) 6 months ago

Dirty Harry isn't even a good example. No detective is a Dirty Harry.

[–] AnagramYYZ (606) 6 months ago

See what I mean. Viewers overlook the concept of Soze/Verbal being some puppeteer mastermind, and the ridiculousness of his criminal saavy, while simultaneously saying, “we don’t have much expectation for the detectives to be superior.” That’s too much suspension of disbelief required.

“No cop is Dirty Harry.”

Movies like these have brainwashed folks (in the name of homoerotic fantasy fiction, no less) to consider criminals as a pinnacle of masculinity and righteousness.