“The greatest trick the devil pulled was convincing people he didn’t exist” is surely one of the most famous taglines of recent cinema history, but I was more concerned with the greater trick that would be required to take The Usual Suspects to the stage.
Given the nature of the film, with its convoluted plot, flashbacks and multiple, expansive locations, the omens pointed to a painful 90 minutes of drama. Thankfully, and as much for my sake than anything else, I am glad to report that 2-Way Mirror have managed to pull it off, albeit with a few niggles.
Unlike in their adaptation of Reservoir Dogs, all the performances are solid, especially Verbal Kint, the show’s narrator, who thankfully isn’t just a carbon copy of Kevin Spacey’s interpretation. The simple set also manages to work for a variety of locations, from the ship, where the main action kicks in, to the infamous police line-up.
What doesn’t work is the sound effects. Most are simply far too loud and offensive, while some are just plain unnecessary and detract from the tension built up by the actors. The multi-media aspect of the production is also a bit shaky, as the use of an overhead projector to portray off-screen happenings doesn’t really work in its current form.
Like its celluloid predecessor, The Usual Suspects manages to deliver the shock ending perfectly, but those unfamiliar with the cult film may find it a little more confusing in this form. However, this is more down to Keyser Sose than 2 Way Mirror.
While this is a good interpretation of an extremely complicated film, it might be more suited to fans, rather than the average Fringe-goer.
3/5
Martin Dewar
