Survive or Die
Deadly looking Lou Marazano (portrayed superbly by Chubby Wiseguy Frank Vincent) went through a lot of emotions hearing about his past glories. He used to be the most recognizable name in Chicago Outfits 31st Street Crew, giving fear to enemies with every kill he made, now living with such children thoughts which makes emotions bubble up into his eyes.
Lou may be a powerful figure but it’s understandable that it gets difficult for people to cope up with being put into a solitary like a life. All Marazano can do is wish and have dreams of seeing his daughter (Gina D’ercoli) and heartbroken grandson (Robert Gerdisch) safe and happy.
Lou volunteers to carry out the three orders after the imprisoned boss of the Outfit, Armand Assante, hears of a conspiracy between the mafia factions and city administration personnel. But Det. Ralph Maloney (Danny Goldring), who is an old-timer p***k alcoholic, and who like Lou, has to earn their respect due to age, gets reminded by one of Lou’s actions.
It’s at moments such as these that the film shines: there are surprisingly large doses of humor in the portrayal of hard life, in this instance within the underworld, and the constant battle let us put it this way, the writing by Josh Stamen, John W. Bosher, director Caunter, and Andrew Dowd does dip into some trite moments and even more banal, hard-edged banter including the relationship between Lou and his wife/cover Lorraine (Kathrine Narducci another Sopranos graduate), including ethnic stereotypes that many would find offensive to present-day Italian Americans.
With Lou’s voiceover narration explaining practically all characters and side plots about Lou is the picture’s most sympathetic character which makes Vincent comfortable and eager.
Caunter and producers John W. Bosher, William S. Maursky, Philip S. Plowden, Kevin Moss and Chris Charles met as students in Chicago’s Columbia College film program and formed production outfit Beverly Ridge Pictures together. Confidently paced and decidedly Windy City styled, “Chicago Overcoat” is the duo’s debut feature film. Assembling the film’s budget of $2 million other than a production company which Moss’ mother JoAnne, a producer on the film loaned considerable assistance.
Even though they do not use the term in the film, there is a sincitytm or ‘Chicago overcoat’ draped in a cloak of prohibitionism, and indeed death that is, press pack says, a coffin.
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