The Outfit: Movie Review (No Spoilers)

By Michael Momper

I don’t know if The Outfit is flashy, snazzy or star-studded enough to be a huge Oscar contender come awards season, but suffice it to say that the understated and old-school nature of the film are a strength in every way imaginable.

 

In Graham Moore’s directorial debut, we return to the gangster film in a subtler, less bombastic manner than most films would dare to do nowadays, at the risk of boring the audience. Moore’s delightfully mysterious story, however, is incredibly involving and claustrophobic. Like Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, or Lumet’s 12 Angry Men, this movie could easily be a delightful production on Broadway, as it is very character and dialogue driven with basically one location as the centerpiece for the entire story. The tense direction from Moore brings us intimacy with the characters, and fools us with red herrings. The movie oozes class and panache without being pretentious. It is warm and inviting, with its soft color tones and softer garments. The invitation is easily accepted, which is why you are already on the hook by the time the interactions start to go off the rails.

 

With a story and production already so centered on people rather than places, it makes perfect sense that the casting include one of the greatest theater actors of all time, Mark Rylance. He plays the main character, Leonard, who is an English immigrant owning a tailor shop in Chicago. Leonard is extremely passionate about his work, and as revered in his trade as they come. He is a father figure to his only employee, and along with her he is forced to interact with some unsavory clientele who are Mafia-connected. Rylance’s performance is masterful, and not because of any spastic intensity. He is wry, inquisitive, and as comforting as an old coat. He narrates some of the film, and his grandfatherly ways are instantly endearing. This is a Renaissance man, a well-mannered and gallant relic of bygone days. He is an easy man to root for, so viewers have no trouble being invested in his plights. His slowly unspooling backstory adds layers of complexity and mystery, as we begin to realize throughout this twisty story that this is more of a character study than we would have thought. 

 

Like a good film noir from early Hollywood, this movie keeps you guessing and constantly ratchets up the tension. It requires patience to be sure, as much of the plot is dialogue-driven. The viewer is constantly rewarded however as unpredictable twists come in droves, and characters often seem to be more than meets the eye. The dialogue is excellent, and never meandering like some overly-talky gangster flicks. “If we only allowed angels to be customers, then we’d have no customers at all”, Leonard remarks. It is a fitting quote in a world full of flawed, complex individuals, even forcing a little introspection along with it.

 

Moore’s 2014 movie The Imitation Game was an Oscar-winner, and with The Outfit he has once again proven that he can construct unpredictable and crafty dramas. This is not an action-packed thrill ride or Goodfellas-style mob piece, so definitely don’t expect that. Those viewers who are more used to fast-paced flicks might become impatient with the movie. But patience will be rewarded with this one. The mysteries are exciting, and the characters are colorful. Rylance’s performance is enough to keep you hooked. An old-fashioned thriller like this is perfect for the big screen, and can set the tone for you to have a sophisticated, debonair, whiskey-soaked night.

Rating: 90/100