Month: June 2023

Today’s quick review: Chicago Overcoat. Once a hitman for the Chicago mob, Lou Marazano (Frank Vincent) comes out of retirement to eliminate three informants threatening to testify against mob boss Stefano D’Agnostino (Armand Assante). But as Lou settles back into his old groove, the murders draw the attention of Ralph Maloney (Danny Goldring), a jaded detective who investigated Lou’s original killings back in the 80s.

Chicago Overcoat is a crime drama about a retired hitman and the detective hunting him. Frank Vincent stars as Lou Marazano, an old-school gangster with the fortitude to handle dirty work and the discipline not to get caught. The movie follows Lou on one last job to get the money he needs to make a fresh start. Chicago Overcoat holds few surprises for fans of the crime genre, but its solid lead and well-constructed plot make it a worthwhile watch.

Chicago Overcoat depends heavily on its main character, and Lou Marazano does not disappoint. Lou is calm and disciplined in his work, principled in his dealings with others, and loving to his daughter Angela (Gina D’Ercoli). He is not as sympathetic or charismatic as the protagonists in other crime dramas, but Chicago Overcoat know s how to use him well. In spite of his age, Lou’s iron will and cunning make him more than a match for his enemies.

Chicago Overcoat does not push the envelope of the crime genre, but it has all the ingredients it needs to tell a satisfying story. Its protagonist walks the line between honorable and ruthless, its story has a splash of tension, and its action kicks off at opportune moments. Fans of the genre will enjoy Chicago Overcoat for what it is. Skip it if you are looking for richer drama, more overt action, or a more memorable take on the genre.

For a darker story about a mob hitman, try The Iceman. For a more elaborate story about an aging hitman, try The Irishman. For a mob drama with more heart, try Donnie Brasco or Goodfellas. For a more iconic cat-and-mouse game between a detective and a criminal, check out Heat.

[6.0 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1085382/). I give it a 6.5 for a solid lead and a tidy story.

Today’s quick review: The Heavy. Seven years ago, Mitchell “Boots” Mason (Gary Stretch) went to prison because of his brother Christian’s (Adrian Paul) testimony. Now Mitchell works as muscle for Anawalt (Stephen Rea), a powerful criminal, and tries to stay clear of Inspector Dunn (Vinnie Jones), the crooked cop who put him away. His life gets even more complicated when he becomes part of a plot to assassinate Christian, now a prominent politician.

The Heavy is a budget action movie about an ex-con walking down a dark path. The Heavy follows Mitchell Mason as he deals with loose ends from his past, including his rocky relationship with his brother and the consequences of his time in prison. The movie features interesting conflicts and solid individual scenes. Its story is not groundbreaking, but it does have enough going on to hook fans of the budget action genre.

However, The Heavy has structural problems that hold it back. The individual conflicts are promising, but the connective tissue holding them together is flimsy. The plot is a jumble of unrelated ideas that the viewer has to piece together, and the movie’s attempts at nonlinear storytelling muddy the waters even more. The handful of action scenes are also lackluster, with minimal fight choreography and no real sense of purpose.

The Heavy has the same type of setup as other budget action movies, but its execution leaves something to be desired. Fans of the genre will appreciate what it does with the resources at its disposal, at least in terms of character work and tension. But the combination of confusing storytelling and a weak payoff is enough to undermine The Heavy’s best efforts and make it an easy movie to skip.

For a more nuanced crime drama about a criminal trying to get his life together, try Redemption. For a more interesting budget action movie about a debt collector, try The Debt Collector. For a more stylish slice of British crime, try Snatch or The Gentlemen. For a budget action movie that puts a similar premise to better use, try Avengement.

[4.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473364/). I give it a 5.5 for a jumbled story and underwhelming action.