Review: Windfall and The Outfit

A Double Feature Review!

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Windfall

I found director Charlie McDowell's (2014's The One I Love) minimalist thriller to be pretty effective and intriguing. Actors Jason Segel, Lily Collins, and Jesse Plemons all showcased some strong acting chops throughout. An on location set, a dazzling score, a zany script, and even a little Hitchcock. Windfall is a deep slow-burning film that will get underneath your skin. In the end, Windfall is short, sharp, and mostly satisfying. This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those who are intrigued at the beginning, Windfall will reel you in. Our film follows a desperate man (Segel) who breaks into a tech billionaire's (Plemons) empty vacation home to steal money. Unfortunately for the robber, things go sideways when the arrogant tycoon and his wife (Collins) arrive to the home for a last-minute getaway. McDowell delivers a stripped-down thriller between three people stuck together on a property. All of the actors, especially Collins, deliver superb acting chops throughout. Windfall is tense, comical, and engrossing scene after scene. McDowell's picture might not land on every note, but it continues to try. In the end, Windfall showcases three flawed people along with their fears, hopes, and dreams.

Windfall is rated R (Restricted) For Language Throughout | Some Violence.

Stream it now on Netflix.

Directed by Charlie McDowell

Starring Jason Segel, Lily Collins, Jesse Plemons, and Omar Leyva.

The Outfit

The Outfit is a solid crime drama: it’s slow-burning, tightly woven, and old-school. Actors Mark Rylance and Zoey Deutch are both great throughout. Graham Moore's (Oscar winner for 2014's The Imitation Game on Adapted Screenplay) directorial debut is a meticulously crafted film that kept all the cards in its hand. It was a lot of fun and kept me guessing. The Outfit is another stripped-down thriller that will hook you in from the first to the last scene. Moore's film is another one location set that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Our film stays inside the walls of a tailor's shop located in the heart of Chicago. Leonard Burling (a cunning Rylance) is an expert "cutter" who has mastered the craft of clothing. Along with his receptionist, Mable Shaun (a wonderful Deutch), they keep the business rolling.

Yet, their shop is also located in the neighborhood of an Irish mob boss — meaning that there is a certain amount of dirty money trickling in and out of the shop. From there, I won't dare spoil how the plot escalates, but our "cutter" (Rylance) must outwit a dangerous group of mobsters to survive one fateful night. It's a game of cat and mouse, with a dash of Hitchcock sprinkled in. Moore knows how to keep the ball rolling, while leaving viewers anxious for the next scene. Both Rylance and Deutch deliver strong performances that are the very heart and soul of this picture. Yes, there will be blood in this slow-burning crime drama that latches itself onto you, never letting go. The Outfit is an exciting picture that oozes with tense and suspense.

The Outfit is rated R (Restricted) For Language Throughout | Some Bloody Violence. 

See it in theaters or rent it on VOD | Click Here.

The Outfit had its world premiere at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival back in February. 

Directed by Graham Moore

Starring Mark Rylance, Zoey Deutch, Johnny Flynn, Dylan O'Brien, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Simon Russell Beale.