Chicago Overcoat

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 was living in Chicago when much of this was filmed. This is true life, forget "fake reality TV", this is the real deal. The main star grows on you, you can empathize and feel what he is feeling, although you might not choose his route! Point is, when I finished watching, early in the morning, I thought, "Wow, this is a great movie". Gritty, real in the mob life, the drug life, the police life, and politics. Here you have a criminal, a former hit-man, and he has needs, to care for his family, to hold his rep, to be cared for. The ending was I surprise. I won't spoil, just watch the movie!

Absolutely terrible. sad to see armand and vincent in such an awfully written and directed movie.

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

I cannot recall another movie of this type where the protagonist, an elderly mafia hit-man,comes across as one of the better individuals we encounter. And this impression manages to persist despite the multiple crimes we see him commit. Basically he's a bad guy doing bad things to bad people for a good reason. The scenes between Dannny Goldring as the burnt-out cop on the verge of retirement and Frank Vincent as the washed-up hit-man, two has-beens on opposite sides of the law, were especially well done. Solid performances by all the cast, especially Mike Starr as repulsive Mafia Boss Lorenzo Galante. Incidentally both Frank Vincent and Mike Starr appeared in Goodfellas. Personally I find this lower-key movie the better of the two. For some reason this movie seems to have been completely overlooked, perhaps the absence of moral blacks-and-whites put reviewers off. But if you like the genre you will enjoy this one.

*The Richter scale is: A measure of the strength of earthquakes, developed in 1935 by Charles Francis Richter, the highest figure recorded was 8.6 in 1960, the Chile Earthquake, this film scores 9, meaning severe destruction and loss of life in 2-hours by one very determined guy Frank Vincent, who deserves an Oscar for playing the part of an ageing hit-man. Question answered: "What is a Chicago overcoat", it is a coffin and a lousy title for a great-great film whose subject matter is a glimpse into the life of an aged gangster who presumably survived the Al Capone and Frank Nitti period in Chicago and still on the go, an elderly hit man who carry's out hits on people we know nothing about, one bullet to the chest, one to the head then phone the boss man tomorrow to collect whats owed. All the other roles are supporting roles, the Police officers, the broads, the inevitable chase and shoot out, but with so many twist's and turns you do not want this film to end. Maybe, a few scenes with illegal activity, hijacking a truck or two, maybe a casino floor wide-shot, or a racetrack, or betting shop might have made this film go down better, but what the hell, it scores 9, and is the best film we have watched for ages. I loved it, if it was produced in 1948 the Cagney and Bogart crime film period the queue for tickets would have stopped Broadway. Frank Vincent is the Stars star of this film, Mr Vincent can now reply if asked: Wasn't you once a big film star can now reply "I am still a big film star, it was the films that got smaller." Thanks Frank, Mr Vincent for putting some great acting on the screen for others to copy and learn from.

This surprisingly good independently made crime drama stars Frank Vincent as Lou Marazano, an aging Toddlin' Town hit-man now living in reduced circumstances. Lou hasn't made a hit in years, and is now mostly employed for minor league shakedowns, but when the opportunity for One Last Big Job arises — and with it the chance to set his daughter up for life — he leaps feet first. It's far from the most original of stories--and the film's production values are on-par with a made-for TV movie--but Vincent is excellent and Chi-Town looks great. Fans of gangster films will definitely enjoy it. Also noteworthy: Stacy Keach as an equally worn out cop and Kathrine Narducci as Lou's love interest.

Lou Marazano, an aging mobster in Chicago, needs another job to help him get away from the city where he has lived all his life. The only way to do it is to ask Lorenzo Galante to give him some work. Unknown to him, mafia boss D'Agostino's trial is coming up. A few people must be eliminated, so Galante offers Lou a deal he cannot refuse. There are three people that know too much who are on the way of the boss' legal process. Lou's job, if accepted will get rid of the possible witnesses. Lou's life is not exactly a bed of roses. His relationship with Lorraine has seen better days. He has neglected her, so when he comes for her at the joint where she works, she figures he has changed. Wrong! Even though he obviously had a thing for her, he returns so she can be his alibi for the investigation that the police are going to pin on him, eventually. His estranged daughter is divorced, living with his grandson in the suburbs. Lou makes a mistake by sending flowers to the wife of the first man he kills. An old detective, Rey Berkowski, puts two and two together, remembering a string of killings that remind him of Lou's work. Marazano realizes he must act quickly if he wants to get away with some cash. Eventually, Galante and his men come after him. Lou is able to outsmart them all. "Chicago Overcoat" is an indie that showed up on cable recently. It was a surprise for us, not having a clue as to what it was all about. Based on a story by Brian Caunter, the director, and John Bosher, the screenplay is a collaboration by the duo with Andrew Dowd and Josh Staman. There is plenty of action for fans of the genre. In fact, there is nothing new in the film, and yet the viewer is never bored. Part of the success of the film is the wonderful cinematography by Kevin Moss who keeps his camera absorbing the atmosphere of Chicago at its photogenic best showing different ethnic areas in contrast with the sleek skyscrapers. The best reason for watching "Chicago Overcoat" is veteran character actor Frank Vincent, who has been seen in many films and series. Always a tough guy, he shows a different angle in this picture. He does amazing work for director Caunter. The supporting cast includes Kathrine Narducci, Mike Starr, Stacy Keach, and Armand Assante, among the large cast. Although this is a variation on a theme that has been seen before, the film does not disappoint.

Great movie... Great idea... Terrible acting and directing

If you can relate to the great American author Arthur Miller who wrote the stage and theater play Death of a Salesman than you know the tragic life that Willy Loman the main character in Death of a salesman had. Frank Vincent plays Lou Marazano an aging mobster muscle who never makes captain of his crew. Now Lou's legacy is his daughter and his young grandson. Lou realizes that he has not always been the best father to his daughter during his lifetime of criminal activities. He wants to make things right in his waning years. Lou's son-in-law is a low life criminal who would rather snort cocaine and hang out at the local strip club than spend any quality time with his wife and son. Lou takes it upon himself to just talk to his step son but this low life has little respect for an aging mobster who could never make captain in his crew. Lou needs to set this scumbag straight not on who he is as a man, but that his grandson needs his father and if his son-in-law does not want to fulfill his parental obligations Lou has an alternative plan. To make some extra money Lou agrees to take on the contract hits of three local stool pigeons who are going to proceed to court against a mob boss. Lou's signature for completing a contract hit was to always send the widow a bunch of flowers minus the sympathy card. There is an old detective named Ralph Maloney played very well by character actor Danny Goldring who remembers this old mobster's signature calling card but he has to prove that Lou Marazano has come out of retirement after almost 30 years of staying silent with his gun. So the chase is on and the story line I felt was not only appealing but intriguing and kept the audience guessing how this modern day Willy Loman copycat would end up. Actor Mike Starr plays mob boss Lorenzo Galante who is taking his instructions from the big boss Stefano D'Agnostino played by Armand Assante who orders the hit on the three witnesses that aging Lou Marazano pleads to take on as he really needs the money. We learn later that the assassination money is to be used for only good purposes which I don't want to spoil for anyone who has yet to see this good mobster film. Lou also has a love interest in the attractive Lorraine Lionello played by the versatile actress Kathrine Narducci. I just loved her role in the Chazz Palminteri 1993 crime film "A Bronx Tale". She played the mother of a young boy named Calogero who was torn between his love for his bus driver dad played by Robert DeNiro and the local mob boss Chazz Palminteri. In my opinion, this is one of the best crime films I have ever seen and it ranks right up there with the Godfather. As for Chicago Overcoat the title refers to a 1940's term for a gangster rubbing out his opposition and when the dead guy is in his coffin, he is termed to be wearing a Chicago overcoat. The film is well worth watching and I must say I like the way the film ended. I will say no more but encourage you to watch the film. I rate it a 6 out of 10.