Based on the Dave Iacovetti novel Silent Partners, which was written by J. Bishop and Jokes Yanes, who also directed it. The story is narrated by Valentine (Ciro Dapagio), a mafia enforcer from Chicago now residing in Florida. There, he “sells insurance” with Kofax (Antoni Corone), who writes out the legal documents and premiums, so when the mob takes these folks out, a handsome payday ensues.
However, Valentine is getting tired of living for the mob bosses and wants out. Kofax and he decides to beat the mafia at their own game, putting the insurance premiums in their names and using that money to escape. But an undercover operation headed by Nick (Ronnie Marmo) into the inner workings of Fat Dave (Garry Pastore) and Lil’ Dave (Joseph D’Onofrio) threats to derail Kofax and Valentine’s only means of getting out from under the thumbs of made men.
Silent Partners has so many characters that I am not 100% certain the above pilot synopsis is entirely correct. Nick might be investigating Frankie though he might be the guy trying to screw over Valentine. But that could also be Arturo. There’s a subplot about one douchebag of a man beating his wife, so Lil’ Dave and some others (don’t ask who, I am not sure) take him out. Valiant and noble, sure, but aside from giving the sizable supporting roster something to do, what’s the point of it here? There’s so much going on and so many characters that the main thrust of the plot dissipates at times. The crime drama is only 82 minutes long, so there’s not exactly a ton of the A-plot to start with.
“Kofax and [Valentine] decide to beat the mafia at their own game, putting the insurance premiums in their names…”
With that being said, this is still a very awesome and enjoyable flick. Yanes directs with a bold, energetic style. The film uses a grainy VHS aesthetic to rewind and go into the flashbacks. The lighting is moody and atmospheric at all times, especially during a nightclub sequence roughly 45 minutes in. The whole production looks slick and moves with a fierce pace.
Dapagio excels as the man trying to escape. His deep voice adds weight to the narration, while his commanding presence and muscular build sell the role’s tough guy qualities just by looking at him. Corone’s screed about being okay with being shot but scared of getting knifed to death makes the man seem truly afraid. D’Onofrio is always a welcome presence, and here proves why he’s had a decades-long career. Marmo is a warm and calm presence trying to make sense of the evil deeds the mob is doing. The supporting cast, even if their character is pointless, does a remarkable job.
Silent Partners seems to have a thousand characters and no idea what to do with them all. As such, certain threads feel superfluous and seemingly go nowhere. But none of that is the fault of the talented cast, as all the actors bring something memorable to their part, no matter how small. But what makes this stand out from the recent spate of mafia-centric titles is the stylish and slick direction that makes the film look far above its pay grade.
"…stylish and slick..."
