Directed By:
Graham Moore
Written By:
Johnathan McClain, Graham Moore
Starring:
Mark Rylance, Zoey Deutch, Dylan O’Brien
Genre:
Crime, Drama
Rated: R for some bloody violence, and language throughout
All media used courtesy of Focus Features
Mark Rylance plays a ‘Cutter’, not a tailor but one who goes further into detail in crafting the finest suits for anyone who enters his shop. The problem? He’s entangled with the local mob and unable to escape them. Things have been relatively good as far as the relationship with him and these suit-wearing baddies, until a scheme gone wrong lands them right in the middle of his shop, forcing him to have to choose to help hide them, or lose everything he’s built.
I love Mark Rylance and he need to be starring in more films. He completely shines in this as he narrates his process of suit-making, to the secrets his character may be keeping as he observes the mafia coming in and out of his shop. He has an employee (Zoey Deutch) who wants to leave town and start somewhere fresh, but without the funds to do so leads her to sparking a relationship with one of the mob men (Dylan O’Brien). I think all the performances here were stellar and nuanced in each motivation they had.
The writing is excellent, as well as the cinematography, music, and set design. I love learning about our main characters passions, and the challenges they have to navigate throughout the film. The mysteries are set up nicely, and when the film kicks into high gear its mesmerizing to see unfold. It’s a mob film, but not really ABOUT the mafia. It’s as if there were a bigger story regarding the mafia family in an HBO series, and this episode specifically centers around a character having to work with them.
Now, don’t expect a ton of action or fighting. This is very much a dialogue and mystery-driven film that takes it’s time in unraveling. It’s out in theaters now and I definitely recommend checking it out
