Watch Chicago Overcoat

In the 2009 crime drama, Chicago Overcoat, Frank Vincent plays Lou Marazano, an aging hitman from the Windy City who is getting ready to retire. Despite his reputation for being a cold-blooded killer, Lou manages to win the loyalty and respect of those around him, particularly his boss, crime boss Dominic (Armand Assante). However, when Dominic orders Lou to kill his former protégé, Gio (Danny Goldring), Lou finds himself caught between his loyalty to Dominic and his personal code of honor. As Lou tries to protect Gio, he realizes that the only way to truly secure his own future is to take drastic action - even if it means betraying the only family he has ever known.

Kathrine Narducci plays Lou's love interest, Ruthie, a character who adds a certain amount of heart and humanity to the otherwise gritty, violent story. Mike Starr is also featured in the flick, playing a longtime associate of Lou's who is torn between his loyalty to Lou and his own self-preservation.

One of the most striking things about Chicago Overcoat is its unabashedly retro vibe, despite being set in modern-day Chicago. The film's aesthetic, sound design, and even the performances feel like they were ripped straight from the pages of a classic gangster flick from the 1970s. This gives the movie a distinctive tone that sets it apart from other crime dramas that attempt to emulate the gritty, lived-in feel of the genre's golden age.

Another standout element of Chicago Overcoat is the relationship between Lou and Gio. Rather than simply portraying the pair as bitter rivals or enemies, the film delves into the complicated feelings of resentment, jealousy, and even admiration that can exist between two men who share similar skills and values. As Lou navigates the murky waters of his own moral code, he must also contend with the emotional weight of his past decisions and the consequences they have wrought.

The pacing of the movie is deliberate - some might even say slow - but this allows the tension to build gradually over the course of the story. Rather than relying on flashy action sequences or expositional dialogue, Chicago Overcoat lets the actors do the heavy lifting, allowing us to get a sense of who these characters are and what they represent in the world of organized crime. As a result, when the violence does finally come, it feels all the more real and impactful.

That's not to say the movie is devoid of action, however. There are a number of scenes that are sure to please fans of shootouts and chase sequences, but they are always in service of the story rather than vice versa. Even the most kinetic moments of Chicago Overcoat are grounded in character and theme, giving them a sense of resonance beyond their surface-level thrills.

Ultimately, Chicago Overcoat is a movie about the choices we make and the consequences they have. It's a film that foregrounds character over plot, eschewing convention in favor of a quiet, introspective approach to storytelling. Fans of classic gangster flicks like The Godfather or Mean Streets are sure to find much to love here, but even those who are less familiar with the genre are likely to be drawn in by the film's strong performances, moody atmosphere, and thoughtful exploration of the human cost of a life of crime.

Chicago Overcoat is a 2009 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.