Chicago Overcoat (2009)

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Many actors known for their work in Mafia films become tight-cast as gangsters, meaning that audiences are so familiar with them as a gangster, that they can't see them as anything else. That's fine when they're younger, but once these guys are in their 70s, it becomes a lot harder to find work. Some turn to comedy, while other try, unconvincingly, to remain gangsters, this is one of those stories. Lou Marazano (Frank Vincent) is one of the last OG's in his Chicago crew. While he still sees himself as a gangster, the next generation sees him as a dinosaur. One night Marazano becomes aware of how the others see him, and decides to take on one last big job in order to prove himself. Frank Vincent was terrific in the Sopranos, because he was an old school boss. In this film, he's an old school hit-man, running around town, trying to intimidate people with a Tommy-Gun. The whole thing, wasn't believable or funny, it was just sad, watching this old man running around like it's still 1940. The rest of the cast was no prize either, made up of guys who had three lines in a Sopranos episode 15 years ago. Chicago Overcoat proves that it takes a lot more than just gun fire and some f-bombs to make a decent film about the Mafia. There is no honor in this final act of violence and there isn't even a compelling reason for it. The whole theme of this film is an old man trying to prove something that he no longer has. I feel badly that a legend like Frank Vincent is forced to take on roles like this and I just found the whole thing to be sad and in poor taste.

Frank Vincent is excellent as the senior citizen hit man who volunteers for one last big job. The acting by all concerned is above average, and the photography quite creative. There is of course plenty of violence, but it is not gratuitous. My only objection to "Chicago Overcoat" would be that Armand Assante and Mike Starr really have small roles for being featured on the DVD cover. It is Frank Vincent who shines throughout and almost singlehandedly carries the film. The story flows nicely and has a couple of minor twists and turns. Character development is especially strong, and along with the compelling script, delivers a very enjoyable movie experience. - MERK

Good casting for Frank Vincent, in probably his best role to date. I enjoyed watching the film, with its combination of memoirs, anecdotal narrative and good old fashioned American Gagsterism.It is easy to look at this after the first few minutes and think it could be another Casino or Goodfellas, especially with the use of the narration, however it does not take that route in so much that it does not come over quite as 'smarmy' in the way Vincent is recalling his past compared to how Joe Peschi or more so Ray Liotta did it in theirs. The story does not also go beyond the realms of uncredibility and has a message in there somewhere, something about ageing and having few regrets.Once all that is done and set up the story is basically about Vincent - a tough but aged wise guy who still collects. He is itching to do a hit again and gets the nod. Once on the mission the story develops a bit more and includes other characters, such as his family and mistress. One of the best characters to come into the film at this point is the cop on his tail, who without going over the top on the clichés is a worthy adversary and as wise as Vincent. The films twist involves his boss who is the link to the Chicago underworld.Interesting that Vincent in his role is not dusted despite being out manned and out gunned, he walks away having wiped out all the competition. "You know why? It was outta respect".

I have seen Goodfellas and Casino and No country for old men and this genre is as watchable on all levels. I'm just trying to get through to people who enjoy substance over CGI and i watched this without getting bored and I recommend it. This is not your usual suspects, in fact with little effort it has managed to make Old men Dangerous and young people should remember that there is no substitute for experience and being 50 years old myself means I am like Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven, Very Dangerous because Death is not the worst thing that can happen to you and you can take your time which is deadlier than any young punk on a mission