There are some streaming films that only warrant a light and casual viewing. And then there are those that deserve every ounce of the viewer’s attention. Graham Moore’s The Outfit, now streaming on Peacock, falls into the latter category.
The film sits at 85% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and perhaps it would track closer to 100% if not for an ending that’s a bit controversial, but either way, the 1950’s crime drama is worth the time and attention.
And the film is likely to draw some attention to streamer Peacock. When it comes to awards season, the more established streamers like Netflix and HBO Max tend to get all of the attention and accolades. While The Outfit is perhaps not strong enough to serve as traditional Oscar-bait come December, it’s of a quality that firmly establishes Peacock as being able to compete with the big boys in terms of churning out prestige drama.
Getting Dressed for Success
Set in Chicago in 1956, The Outfit follows Leonard (Mark Rylance), a master English tailor who operates a corner tailor shop with his assistant Mable (Zoey Deutch). Leonard’s business caters only to high-end customers, making lavish bespoke pieces for the only people in Chicago who can afford them: a family of vicious gangsters.
Business is booming and all is well until one night when two killers (Dylan O’Brien and Johnny Flynn) knock on his door in need of a favor, thrusting Leonard into a deeper layer of the Chicago crime world.
How The Outfit Earns the Title of “Prestige Drama”
The Outfit uses the character of Leonard as a narrative unifier, the common thread (pun intended) of all the film’s plot lines, though never the focal point of any of them. And the device is effective and compelling, perhaps owing much of its success to Rylance’s performance. The veteran entertainer delivers what may be one of his best performances (for American audiences) as a humble, observant, and helpful shopkeeper.
Ever calm, never quick to assume or appear more capable than he truly is, Rylance as Leonard is the perfect intermediary for the characters in The Outfit. Leonard serves as both the narrator and protagonist while always resembling nothing more than an innocent bystander, a simple observer who is subject to the whims of a violent band of backstabbing Irish mobsters.
As a background player in much of the narrative, Leonard’s character is developed slowly, with his true colors and intentions being exposed only as the underlying motivations of others are uncovered. As viewers are pulled deeper and deeper into the underbelly of Chicago, each character one by one enters Leonard’s world, exposing glimpses into his background, capabilities, and true intentions.
Leonard is clearly up to something, but it’s not immediately clear what, though his motivations will all make sense in the end. And the fact that it does is a testament to the deftness with which the writing and directing handle such a novel narrative structure.
But, as mentioned, that structure would crumble if the actor behind Leonard was not up for the task. Indeed, while the supporting actors are compelling in their own ways, it’s Rylance that viewers can’t take their eyes off of, likely one of the reasons for the 85% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Alls Well That Ends Well
That being said, the final moments of the film might be something of a head-scratcher for some viewers.
The writing (and Rylance’s performance) take great pains to portray Leonard as practical, calculated, brilliant, almost omni-present. The entire film revolves around his meticulous and deducting nature, but the final moments present a side of Leonard that don’t entirely square with that characterization.
Though the writing does weave in some relevant backstory that might make the final scenes make sense, really it’s only Rylance’s performance that allows The Outfit to stick the landing.
But as Leonard himself says, “True perfection is impossible.” And though The Outfit isn’t perfect, it’s a damn good film worthy of even a theatrical release. It may not land on the Top 10 lists come Oscar season, but it’s a very prestigious feather in the cap of Peacock as they start building their content library in an attempt to keep up with awards season frontrunners Netflix and HBO Max.
The Outfit is streaming now on Peacock.
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