By Maria Gkika,
Known to the audience from his work in The Imitation Game (2014), for which he deservedly won the Best Adapted Screenplay Award at the 2015 Oscars, Graham Moore makes his debut as a director with a crime drama, with many elements that remind us of old gangster films, since it has a lot of suspense and many surprises. In conjunction with Johnathan McClain, they developed a well-crafted, methodical and precise script that is more complicated than one might first imagine.
The entire story takes place one night at a tailor shop in 1950s Chicago. The owner is a low-profile eccentric master English tailor (or to better say a cutter) with a hidden past, that leads a quiet life focused on his craft while acting as a father figure to his young assistant that dreams of a better future away from Chicago. However, he unwillingly gets a front-row seat to the suspicious conversations and actions of two of his frequent clients. It is revealed early on that these men are members of the vicious gangster family that controls the area and they use the shop as a safe communication hub to drop messages and packages for their business. A deadly game of deception and murder ensues when the two knock on the tailor’s door, seeking a favor. It remains to be seen at what level he is involved, while all the characters gradually reveal their true intentions and secrets.
The intelligent, twist-filled plot is expertly supported by all other areas of filmmaking and as a result, the theatrical aspect of making the entire film solely in one place not only does not bring the sense that something is missing but on the contrary, it is quite refreshing! There is no inconsistency in the editing of the scenes that unfold within the enclosed space. Cinematography, decorations, and costumes all perfectly bring to life the wintery Chicago of the 50s. Still, apart from adding to the atmosphere of that time and shedding a light on the characters’ identities, the costumes and the objects also played an integral part in moving the plot in different directions throughout the film. On another note, Gemma Jackson did an excellent job setting the tailor shop, the “stage” for all the scenes. Also, a special mention needs to be made for the music that expertly enhanced the suspense with upbeat and sometimes jazzy tones, but without ever dominating the scenes.
The selection of actors mostly unfamiliar to the audience was spot-on, as each contributed to the film’s refreshing mood. The demanding leading role, Mark Rylance, was a most fitting choice, as he skilfully portrayed the complex undertones of his character. There is also Simon Russell Bill as the chief gangster searching for his immature son played by Dylan O’Brien, Johnny Flynn as the bad guy, and Zoey Deutch as the mysterious assistant. Nikki Amuka-Bird, portraying the elegant mob representative, completes our list.
To conclude, The Outfit is a marvelous film with a refreshing old-school vibe. Storytelling is the strong suit of this film, and you will be left guessing until the very end. By watching this thrilling film, one can understand the power a well-crafted plot has and why it is an essential part of good cinema.
References
- The Outfit, imdd.com, Available here
