Film Review: THE OUTFIT (2022): A Film Tailor Fit For the Versatile Mark Rylance’s Talents

The Outfit Review

The Outfit (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Graham Moore and written by Graham Moore and Johnathan McClain and starring Mark Rylance, Zoey Deutch, Dylan O’Brien, Johnny Flynn, Chiedu Agborh, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Simon Russell Beale and Alan Mehdizadeh.

Mark Rylance stars in a role that definitely “suits” his talents in the intriguing crime drama, The Outfit. This film is always at least a step or two ahead of the audience and even though that’s not always a good thing, it’s a great excuse to cast Rylance in a juicy leading part. Set in Chicago in the mid 1950’s, we meet an aging “cutter” from London named Leonard Burling who essentially operates his business to “fit” the needs of his best customers, a group of mobsters led by Roy Boyle (a well-cast Simon Russell Beale). The picture takes flight when Richie (Dylan O’Brien), Roy’s son, gets shot. As the plot unravels, secrets are revealed and characters become interwoven in a complex labyrinth full of intensity. Johnny Flynn also shines in his role as Francis who is one of the characters who will help dictate the way the events of the film will unfold.

This movie is basically structured like a play even though it’s a film. It keeps the viewer hooked through its complexity and, especially, because of the character development which is enhanced through a captivating performance from the always dependable Rylance. Zoey Deutch is one of the movie’s most prized assets in her role as a shop worker named Mabel Shaun who is none other than Richie’s girlfriend. Mabel wants to leave Chicago and move on to bigger and better things and Deutch’s well-written role is so effective that viewers will be intrigued by the way that she always commands the viewer’s attention throughout the movie. This character may have a trick or two up her sleeve as well.

Since Richie gets shot, Leonard is enlisted to tend to Richie’s injury. When Francis leave Roy’s son alone with Leonard, twists and turns begin to be revealed that will have you questioning just who you can trust as the movie goes back and forth with more twists and turns than a roller coaster ride. Imagine something like 1996’s film noir masterpiece, Bound, crossed with an old fashioned gangster picture and you get an idea of what to expect here.

A key character is killed and the body must be hidden. Another character is unaware that this said character has been “taken out.” There are more plot details that I certainly won’t reveal here to avoid spoilers. It can be said, however, that the film takes tremendous pride in the way it sets itself in its primary location and steers the audience towards uncertainty as the film unveils its secrets one at a time.

Meanwhile, the acting by Deutch is nothing short of brilliant. Mabel plays a central role in the action and her character has layers that are both compelling and revealing in nature. Another notable acting job is the performance of Nikki Amuka-Bird as Violet LaFontaine, who plays a key role in a Black rival crime organization presented in the film. Amuka-Bird has an intriguing screen presence that helps the movie feel rather unique. Alan Mehdizadeh’s portrayal of a bodyguard named “Monk” also piques viewer curiosity.

It is Rylance’s Leonard who is at the heart of the film as he is the one who the audience stays with throughout the film wondering which way he’ll turn next and who he’ll be loyal to. There’s never a dull moment when Rylance is on screen though the film throws in one too many plot twists willy-nilly towards the conclusion. There is no shortage of secret taped recordings that serve to motivate key characters in the story line. Director Graham Moore (writer of The Imitation Game) certainly doesn’t miss a trick and the film is all the more clever and deeply fascinating as a result.

In The Outfit, the mise-en-scene is expertly orchestrated. Credit cinematographer Dick Pope for that. There is definitely tension created within the plot that can certainly keep the audience invested in the action throughout. With some revelations in the plot that were quite unexpected, audiences will be captivated by Rylance’s character who has secrets that will help reveal the reasoning behind his actions as the film progresses. It’s a very carefully made film that is well worth seeing.

Rating: 7.5/10

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