56. The Usual Suspects (w/ Erich Hatala Matthes)

How should we feel about and how should we engage with art made by immoral artists? We consider these questions in the context of The Usual Suspects along with Erich Hatala Matthes (Wellesley), whose new book on the topic (Drawing the Line: What to Do with the Work of Immoral Artists from Museums to the Movies) provides a philosophical guide to the complexities of these challenging issues. We consider whether the film's aesthetic value is diminished by the behavior of its creators, and discuss why, considered on its own, there's a lot to recommend this tightly-wound neo-noir. So join us to think through the question yourself, and return to this 90s classic that reignited Hollywood's obsession with twist endings. Bryan Singer's Accusers Speak Out (The Atlantic) The sexual assault allegations against Kevin Spacey span decades. Here’s what we know. (Vox)