The Outfit

"The Outfit" was forgotten for years after its theatrical release, though in recent years it seems to have been revived and starting to find an audience. For the most part, it does deserve its rediscovery. It's directed in an engaging '70s style that sets it apart from many other man against the mob movies. The style is not polished, and gives the movie a rough and dirty feeling that makes what happens on screen seem more realistic. The violence doesn't come constantly, but when it does happen it gives the movie a serious kick, despite the movie in the end earning just a PG rating. Duvall does well, not making his character a superman, but someone who is (believably) well skilled and crafty. Baker makes a good sidekick. If I have any complaints about the movie, they are that there isn't a terrible amount of plot, and that Robert Ryan's character doesn't get quite enough footage. But despite those problems, the movie works well, and is a must for those who are fans of cynical '70s movies.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed The outfit. Robert Duvall is great in his role as the not so likable ex con Earl Maclin, on a revenge mission against the outfit(sort of a non Italian mafia) for killing his brother. The film does this in a very different way, in that Maclin, doesn't go about the clichéd "Kill everyone" approach. Instead he demands monetary compensation and warns the outfit that he'll bleed them dry until he gets it. I really enjoyed the first two thirds of the film that deal with Maclin and his accomplice Cody(Joe Don Baker(who was also great in his role)) and how they go about robbing the outfits operations. The finale goes a bit too exploitation and OTT for my liking, which is something of a disappointments. The other problem I had was Maclins relationship with his moll(who only seems to make about 2 major appearances in the film) which i felt was underdeveloped. Overall, The Outfit is a nice little film, that deserves a bit more attention than it got.

Jerry Fielding was a great composer. The edgy sense that follows "The Outfit" from scene to scene is helped immeasurably by his soundtrack. The music builds up, adding a lot to the tension factor. The music is economical, not flashy at all. It has a very close to the bone quality to it. So why do I start by talking about the music? Because it's just so rare that a soundtrack adds so much, it actually makes a better film.

Robert Duvall and Joe Don Baker have a very natural interplay, a sort of grimy half-drunk friendship that feels immediately true to life. Karen Black is very good as well. The plot itself is basic, with shades of "Point Blank" and various other revenge-oriented films. John Flynn is not the most imaginative director, so it's a little low on the style end of things visually. Somehow, it all comes together. Good acting, really great soundtrack, and a fast pace. You'll get into this one.

Earl Macklin is released from prison to find that his brother has been killed and he is a target of a hitman. Having dealt with the killer he discovers that a bank job he did had been owned by the mob. Macklin joins with partner Cody to continually hit the organisation until they pay him $250,000 to make amends. However can two men take on the whole mob?

I approached this as someone who has seen plenty of tough 70's mob movies – both good and bad. However my wariness soon vanished as this turned out to be genuinely hard boiled stuff. From a great script the plot follows the two men as they repeatedly hit the mob. The dialogue is hard but also informative – not just tough for the sake of being tough. The action is also quite shocking – women being beaten etc, even for this type of movie it was quite pretty harsh.

Duvall is excellent – many actors may have played it a bit softer to try and keep the audience but he goes all the way as a cruel violent man. Baker is more affable but is less effective for just that reason. Black has a small role but makes the most of it. The mob support cast is good but really Duvall takes this and makes it his own.

Overall if you like the 70's hard boiled thriller genre then this is for you. Even if you don't then there is still much to appreciate here – not the best film in the world (plot is a little linear) but still a good tough thriller.

A man called Ed Macklin (Edward Ness) is murdered at home by two hitmen from the mobster organization The Outfit. Soon his brother Earl Macklin (Robert Duvall) is released from prison and while in a motel with his girlfriend Bett Harrow (Karen Black), is shot by a hitman. He escapes and Bett discloses that she was tortured by The Outfit that wants to kill him since he robbed a bank owned by the mobsters with his brother and his friend Jack Cody (Joe Don Baker). Earl decides to revenge his brother and meets Cody to rob The Outfit members. When The Outfit leader Mailer (Robert Ryan) promises a reparation but double-crosses Earl, he decides to go further in his payback time.

"The Outfit" is a crime movie from the 70´s that has not aged. The suspenseful plot of revenge is simple but full of action with great performances of the cast. The film has no surprises or plot points but it is highly entertaining and worthwhile watching. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Quadrilha" ("The Outfit")