Warning: This list includes spoilers for The Outfit.
The release of the film The Outfit, directed by Graham Moore brought many reviews ranging from lots of praise to critics being bored and unamused. Ultimately though, Rotten Tomatoes gave it a score of 87% which secured it a certified fresh film.
This new take on a classic drama and thriller meets mobsters rocked fans and critics. There were plenty of reviews, but these were the ones from Rotten Tomatoes that best described the overall essence of the film, regardless of how the posters felt about it.
The World Needs More Theater-Like Films
From the commercial and the description alone, it would never be expected that the film set never went beyond just outside of the door of the shop. Clint Worthington's review of the movie, which stated, "Frankly, we should have more films that play like theater, and The Outfit is a refreshing reminder that that tradition is alive and well," just emphasized how well this small setting worked.
For almost two hours, viewers follow English, Richie, Mable, and Francis throughout the shop constantly on the edge of their seats with anticipation of what is to happen next. In other movies, this small setting would not have worked, but with the outstanding acting from the cast, and Moore's directing, this setting worked perfectly and could be the future direction of some movies.
Rylance And Deutch Put On A Great Performance
Mark Rylance, who plays Leonard Burling, but is often referred to as English throughout the film, and Zoey Deutch, who plays Mable, are quite the duo in this film. While both have rather long lists of previous pieces they have been in, Rylance put on his best face for this film, and Deutch gets the chance to really shine and show how dynamic of a character she can truly be.
Zoey Deutch is in plenty of other films and shows that are well known, but the rest of the review is definitely on point.
The Tension Is High
The tension in the film is palpable almost constantly. From Burling trying to help guide and take care of Mable, to the mobster war that he somehow gets involved in, the tension seems to be so thick in various ways, that it could be cut with the shears that Burling holds so dear.
Reviewer Dan Scully words it perfectly when they say, "The tension never lets up for a second, bouncing from playful to unbearably suspenseful at a moment's notice." To the very end of the movie, the tension runs high, only to leave viewers trying to process everything that happened.
Who Are The Good Guys?
The entire film leads to the audience wondering who the good guys truly are. Taking place solely in English's shop makes it hard to get a feel of the mob war going on outside apart from what goes on in the shop. It's clear English doesn't want to get involved but as the movie continues this becomes inevitable.
Critic movies where the bad guy won.
A Thriller? Absolutely.
When the movie starts, it truly seems as though it is going to be a film about the construction of a suit, or maybe even about a tailor. However, it isn't until the black box makes its appearance, which is shortly after the film starts, that things start to escalate.
Time after time things happen that thicken the plot and keeps the audience on the edge of their seat, just as Nicole Ackman states, "The Outfit will keep you on the edge of your seat and absolutely lives up to the title of a thriller." It's a slow-fueling-fire type of thriller. The type where one doesn't realize they're holding their breath until they let it out, and it's thrilling up until the last scene of the movie.
Who Will Make It Out Alive?
From the moment it's clear that it's also a mobster movie, the question looms of who is going to live and who isn't. Critic Sherin Nicole words it perfectly by saying, "The Outfit is a boiling pot in a lot of ways. It feels like a murder mystery but it is more like a locked-room thriller, unfolding the ways the characters have affected each other's lives and causing us to question who will survive the night."
It's not like usual gangster movies, and although it may not have a moment that goes down as the best scene in a gangster movie, it still has plenty of others that cause suspense, create drama, and drive an uncomfortable amount of tension. The slow thrill and suspense leave the audience shocked at some who live versus those that get killed off in the heat of the conflict over the tape.
Rylance Is The Driving Force
Ultimately, The Outfit doesn't have a huge cast. In fact, there are less than 10 people who actually speak in the film, and really only half of those people are the true main characters. While each character helps build the plot and move the story along, it's Mark Rylance's performance as Leonard that carries the film.
A review by Chris Hewitt reads, "The movie lags when Rylance isn't the focus but, fortunately, he is at center stage for most of The Outfit." Seeing as Rylance plays the protagonist, it's crucial that his character helps move the story along, and anyone can see that he does that perfectly after seeing the film.
A Timeless Piece
Although the movie is supposed to take place in Chicago in the 1950s, the film itself has a timeless feeling about it. Adam Graham describes it in his review, saying, "The Outfit isn't flashy or attention-grabbing, but it's an assuming, subtle surprise, the kind that never goes out of style."
Unlike some other mobster movies, this one lacks the in-your-face features that some other movies in that genre tend to have that often put a time stamp on it. The calmness that Rylance's character exudes, alongside the acting, lighting, and simplicity of the whole film will make this movie last and truly stand the test of time for years to come.
Misdirects, But Doesn't Cheat
One thing that Graham seems to be really strong at is misdirection. The movie starts with the illusion that it is going to be about one thing, then quickly switches to something else. As soon as the viewer may think they know who the bad guy is Graham proves that "no you don't."
It's worded perfectly by most shocking villain plot twists in movie history.
"Top-Tier Cinema"
With each movie, there are those that love it and those that hate it. A review by a Rotten Tomatoes top critic, Kevin Maher, states that the movie is "Top-tier cinema." It has many components that make it stand out, from its theatrical style setting to the incredible cast, this movie has a lot to show off.
Maher's review stands out because it says top-tier, which doesn't necessarily mean it's the absolute best, just that it has a lot that is really good about it that truly makes it stand out from the crowd. Graham and the cast created a movie that will notable, quotable, and won't be cut from the top of critics' lists any time soon.
