power angles

The theme of power is prevalent in The usual suspects, through use of camera angles. The use of camera angles give the illusion of power in certain people. Throughout the interrogation process of Verbal in the police station, Verbal was shown as to be in a position of weakness and vulnerability with high angles, showing him lower than the viewer. Where as his interrogator was in a position of power through the use of low angles, putting his face above the viewer making him seem domineering and all powerful compared to Verbal. We find out at the end of the film that this is not the case and that verbal just seemed to be weak. This is a very important piece of the film and its set up. This set up of the illusion of power is the way Verbal in the end has the most power. in the first scene of the movie Keyzer sose, or as we later find out, Verbal, is in a complete position of power over Keaton. He is always shown in a high angle. His face is also never shown, which is important for the movie, but it gives him a sense of power through a mask. The use of this mask makes him seem unconquerable because there is no face to put to this horrible idea of "the devil himself".

Throughout different parts of the movie, The usual suspects, there are a lot of lines and things going on giving a sense of confusion and deception. This is prevalent in the very first scene and the scenes on the boat. The use of these lines gives a lot for the viewer to focus on, making the screen seem complicated and confusing. This is important to symbolize with the confusing and complicated plot. The confusing aspect of the screen is important to the confusing aspect of whom exactly Kyzer Sose is. The use of lines is prevalent through these scenes. In the end it's also what Verbal is supposedly hiding behind. Which is a symbol for him hiding behind confusion when telling the story, keeping him safe and giving him power by the end of the film