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jimmymick
Reviews
Lou (2022)
So much potential
First and foremost, Allison Janney is amazing and the rest of the cast is fabulous. Anna Forrester creates great images and pacing in this interesting and compelling story. Unfortunately, it suffers from a VERY weak script and a total lack of character development. The veteran actors do everything in their power to add dimensions to this rudderless story.
The concept is a very interesting and hooks you in early on. But no sooner do we get the appetizer which is the mystery of Lou, who is shown to be a first class bad ass, than we are served up with clumsy suspense tropes and awkward dialog.
The sad part is that all the elements are there to make a seriously great movie. Once the stakes have been established, we get some unnecessary action which could have been better spent building the characters and the suspense. But, alas, we are left with an anemic main course. By the time we get to the climax of the story, the big reveal is fumbled and we are hastily pushed through the conclusion.
The ending is satisfying, if not predictable. The fact that the veteran actors hold your attention and interest, makes this a good movie, even if there is so much potential left out of the script .
Chicago Overcoat (2009)
An underrated mafia story
While this story isn't breaking any new ground, it is something of a surprise. The writing feels adequate and nothing seems awkward in the telling of this mediocre screenplay, but it is definitely Frank Vincent who carries this movie on his back. Frank plays Lou Marazano, an aging enforcer for a Chicago crime family who finds himself needing to help his divorced daughter and grandson. To help them out, he takes on a few important contracts which the head of the family, Lorenzo Galante (played by Armand Assante) puts on 3 persons who have first hand knowledge of his past crimes. If this knowledge gets in the hands of the Feds, Galante would go away for a long time.
The cast does an amazing job and the direction pulls things together nicely. Everything considered, the performances make this run of the mill story engaging and dramatic.
If you are like me and enjoy mafia stories, you will probably like this. If not, you will probably find this movie mundane.