The Outfit – 2022 – Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Directed by: Graham Moore
Written by: Graham Moore; Jonathan McClain
Main Players: Mark Rylance; Zoey Deutch; Dylan O’Brien; Johnny Flynn; Simon Russell Beale; Nikki Amuka-Bird
Smart and clever, The Outfit is an excellent twisty thriller. Opening on a cold Chicago morning in 1956, meek and mild “cutter” Leonard Burling (Rylance) enters his store while narrating the components of fabric and sizing that it takes to make a good suit. He is muuuch more than just a “tailor.”
It takes a process of no fewer than 228 steps to put together the multitude of final pieces into a tailored suit. The story presented is the same way, so prepare to put together pieces and enjoy doing it.
As important as it is in measuring a suit, the script is laced with details and information in a similarly crafted way. The plot appears basic at first, as our cutter goes at his hard day’s work. His young workshop apprentice Mable (Deutch) joins his day while he is deep in concentration. As he is aging, he is happy to have a young, interested and capable worker, though she admittedly may not stay forever.
Then, subtly, a large mobster looking fella comes into the shop and deposits something in an envelope into a small box on the wall in the backroom, all while Leonard sews suit pieces. Then another man comes in and does the same thing. Then another. And another. Leonard makes no note, as this is business as usual. A couple of hoodlums Richie (O’Brien) and Francis (Flynn) finally come in to collect, and say hi to “English,” the nickname the mobsters have given Leonard over his foreign accent.
They open the box and notice a special envelope marked from ‘The Outfit’ (an underworld United Nations founded by Al Capone). Leonard leaves the room. As he is not invited to know the details.
The film slips easily into its excellently scripted crime tale of deception and intrigue, while our cutter just hangs on and tries to keep his shop in order. As the secrets start flying and the gangsters in The Outfit plan their capers, who will succeed, or how will chaos envelope them all?
This movie is expertly crafted from front to back with great acting to anchor the exciting and well-paced script, especially from star Rylance. There is a lot going on when the story gets going, including all sorts of criminal elements and thrilling tension. The dialogue crackles and ushers the swift story along. The ending is rewarding. Who knew making a suit could be so dangerous?
You cannot make something good until you understand who you are making it for.
See This If You Liked:
The Usual Suspects; Miller’s Crossing; The Drop; The Gentlemen; Wrath of Man; The Irishman; Bound; Lucky Number Slevin; The Departed; Sexy Beast; Layer Cake; The Long Good Friday
Score:
9.0