Review of film: “CHICAGO OVERCOAT” [ = REPORT # 06 re CIFF ]

2009, 10-08:

Review of film:  “CHICAGO OVERCOAT”   [ =  REPORT # 06 re 45th CIFF = Chicago Int'l. Film Festival  ]

Director:

Brian Caunter.

Writers:

John Bosher

Brian Caunter

Andrew Dowd

Josh Staman           

Starring:

Frank Vincent

Kathrine Narducci

Mike Starr

Stacy Keach

Armand Assante

Danny Goldring

Tim Gamble

Martin Shannon

Barret Walz

Gina D'Ercoli

Robert Gerdisch

MPAA Rating:

Nothing official yet.  Some general info: Lots of violence and gore, this is a mob movie, so people are getting shot everywhere.  /  Constant profanity of all types throughout this movie.  /  Almost every character in the movie smokes, and drinks, and at least one is shown doing drugs.  /  Short topless scene at the beginning, some kissing throughout the movie.

MY Rating: 

Rating:  8 of 10 stars.  (for the 95–minute film).

               Gobs of MOBS ask slobs: “Who’s ‘DIRTY’ now?!”

Director Brian Caunter (a graduate of COLUMBIA COLLEGE) shot this film in loads of areas around CHICAGO, & you’ll likely recognize a bunch of them from various neighborhoods:  Milwaukee & Halsted, Brookfield Zoo, downtown Chicago (including the Italian Village restaurant), the Green Mill niteclub near Broadway & Lawrence in Uptown, etc.…

In 1986, mob gunman Lou Marazano (finely played by FRANK VINCENT) carried out like 16 “HITS” on various competitors of his boss (who was later jailed for illegal activities)…

…  Around 20 years later, since Frank needs money for his married daughter Angela (GINA D’ERCOLI) & for his own retirement (as he’s around 65 years old now), he accepts a fresh job from boss Stefano (ARMAND ASSANTE) to “rub-out” a NEW bunch of people to help cover-up a conspiracy between the mob & certain City officials…

…  Frank has a history of going around with mob guys to try to convince small business people to pay a “street tax” to them as “INSURANCE” for the “safety” of their businesses…

…  His daughter married a mobster named Joey (MARK VALLARTA) in the “Cicero” gang— a deadbeat, “player” type guy who doesn’t properly support her & their son.  That treatment makes Frank angry, &, when he THREATENS husband Mark because of his bad treatment of them, that gets Frank in trouble with his OWN higher-ups (like Lorenzo, played by MIKE STARR) who don’t want to “antagonize” the Cicero group…

…  As Frank goes around trying to fulfill his “contract” to rub-out people, he at times uses a “Chicago Typewriter”--  A/K/A a MACHINE gun. That (& his sending flowers to victims’ families) gets the “attention” of some HONEST cops, including the detective Ralph Maloney (DANNY GOLDRING) who’d been after him since the 1980’s…

…  When Frank starts killing more high-profile guys, his OWN profile starts to “rise”, & more & more people seem to be trying to STOP what he’s doing--  both mob guys & certain POLICE (of unclear “persuasions” & loyalties)…   

…  Frank’s work becomes more & more dangerous & the outcome increasingly “iffy”.  He periodically sets up an oldtime girlfriend Lorraine (KATHERINE NARDUCCI) to provide “ALIBIS” for him--  but she starts to get “uncomfortable” with that (which makes things more discomforting for HIM!). Things are getting “dicey” here, Folks!…

…  Who’s KILLING some of the cops, & WHY?…  Are some of the cops still “in” with the MOB?…  Is Frank going to “get his”, or get AWAY with things?!… 

…  It’s a tightly taut thriller, both tense & WITH sense & noirish style.  An impressive & enjoyable piece of work from the 25-year-old First-Feature-Film director, & you’d be wise to try to get your TICKET order in (since only the last of 3 showings is still available as I write this)!…

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