Film noir is both a screen style, and a perspective on human existence and society. Discuss this statement with reference to Singer’s maintenance of textual integrity.
Desperation, bleakness and moral corruption are just a few of the elements that exist within a noir film. They expose a fatalistic perspective on life and the flaws which exist within society and its individuals. This is revealed through the protagonist who is usually alienated from society. Through this style of film, the audience are able to peak into the criminal world and become conscious about the consequences this has upon individuals and society as a whole. A notorious example of this style of film is “The Usual Suspects,” (Singer, 1995), which clearly explores the impossibility of an individual to escape their criminal past, the manipulation of truth to achieve one’s desires and the flaws within the justice system through the scenes of the jail cell, the Keyser Soze myth and the Keaton as Soze scenes. These scenes along with Singer’s ingenious noir style allows for the audience to become familiarised to a world of cynicism and pessimism, where everyone has a facade and where the truth is seldom revealed.
“The Usual Suspects” excellently presents the idea that once an individual is involved in illicit activity, it is near impossible to cut ties with the criminal underworld. This is cleverly revealed through the jail cell scene, where the five criminals are locked behind bars for a crime they did not actually commit. This is ironic but because of their past and link to criminal activity, the men are called in as the title suggests, ‘the usual suspects’. The first medium shot of Keaton depicts him behind the bars, informing the audience that he is once again, dragged into the activities of the underworld after attempting to become ‘clean’. Additionally, the body posture of the other criminals in the cells, such as their slouching and lying down along with their calm dialogue suggests that they have done this many times before, and are therefore used to it. Hockney’s statement “word has it Keaton’s gone straight,” displays the inability of Keaton to escape his past of his criminal activities. But, it is because of his past that he is caught up in this situation. The cucoloris effect and the chiaroscuro lighting on the jail bars and the windows which appear cage like, emphasise the entrapment of the criminals in the underworld, and how it is impossible for them to escape it. Moreover, the jail cell itself is a metaphor for Verbal’s plans, in which they are ensnared in and foreshadows the lack of control of their fates as they further become involved in criminal activity and Verbal’s ‘secret’ plans, thus linking to the idea of an individual’s powerlessness in terms of escaping their criminal past.
In the scene of the Keyser Soze Myth, Singer effectively conveys the idea that the manipulation of truth to achieve desires is intrinsic to the criminal world. This scene is told through a voice over of protagonist, Verbal Kint thus allowing for the alternation of tenses via flashbacks. These flashbacks are red herrings utilised to confuse the audience by providing plausible resolutions to the plot. The use of special effects in this scene is key in deceiving the audience of what they believe to be the ‘truth’. The blurred lens, over exposed lighting, mixed with an intense colour palette of burnt oranges, reds and browns and disoriented style of the flashback does not allow the audience to recognise who Soze is, but instead depicts him to be a heartless man. The camera angle is turbulent and coarse to envisage hostility and chaos – which is achieved through a hand held camera. The screams and heartbeat music in the background along with the guns, knives, struggling and slow motion emphasises the power of Keyser Soze to evoke fear in others. This contrasts the character of Verbal Kint, who in hindsight is actually Keyser Soze. Verbal is depicted as an unintelligent and vulnerable cripple, thus allowing for the manipulation of his character and this myth in order for the audience and other characters to believe it is true. Furthermore, the behind point of view shot of Soze permits the audience to view Soze’s posterior stance as well as his black costume, including the classic noir black trench coat and long black hair. This portrayal of Soze by Kint (through Singer) misleads to the audience into thinking that Keyser Soze could not possibly be Verbal Kint. Therefore, this scene – Keyser Soze myth clearly provides a detailed perspective about the betrayal and falsifying of truth in order to attain success in an individual’s own desires, an element which is obvious in the underground world.
The flaws within the justice system are made evident through the Keaton as Soze scene. This scene presents the idea that in reality, justice usually prevails however; knowledge along with human errors can inhibit justice from being achieved. This idea is revealed through a montage of frames intercepted with Kujan’s voice over and flash backs are used to connect this ‘truth’ with parts of Verbal’s story. These flashbacks act as a red herring to distract the audience from the truth. Matching shots are utilised successfully, placing Keaton’s face on each previously anonymous face, swaying the audience to believe Kujan’s verdict that Keaton is Keyser Soze. This cleverly displays Kujan’s flaw – his obsession to prove Keaton guilty, which blinds him from the truth. As the montage quickens, Kujan’s voice becomes louder and quicker while the tension building music reaches a crescendo. This in turn, hastens the audiences’ anticipation, forcing them to believe Keaton is guilty and is Soze. Additionally, Verbal’s action of pretending to be ‘confused’ or ‘lost’ – shown through his bewildered facial expression as well as his sobbing, deters Kujan from questioning the possibility of whether Verbal may be Soze, thus indicating the flaw in the justice system. Furthermore, Kujan’s statement “you’re not safe on your own” is ironic as Kint actually is safe as he was behind it all. Because, he was behind everything and knows all that was going on hence allowing him to take advantage of Kujan’s flaw and therefore being able to ‘cheat’ the justice system.
In conclusion, “The Usual Suspects” is an exceptional example of a noir film which portrays its typical aspects. It allows the audience to explore the underworld and its scepticism. In addition, it delves into the ideas of the incapability of an individual to escape one’s criminal past as well as the deceit and betrayal which are common in the criminal world and the imperfections of the justice system and how knowledge can easily overcome justice. Through Singer’s perfect composing skills, the audience are able to understand the works and fatalistic nature of the underground world.