You ever walk into your favorite bar and have the bartender look at you like he’s seen a ghost? That’s basically how the story starts. In The Last Rites of Joe May, we aren't talking about a literal priest standing over a bed with holy water—well, not exactly. We’re talking about the final, desperate, and weirdly beautiful swan song of a man the world forgot to miss.
Joe May is a "short-money hustler." If you aren't familiar with the term, it’s basically a guy who spends his whole life waiting for the big score but ends up selling stolen leg-of-lamb out of the back of a beat-up car just to buy a pack of smokes. He’s played by the legendary Dennis Farina, and honestly, this might be the best thing he ever did before he actually passed away in 2013.
The Story Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think this is just another gritty Chicago mob movie. It’s not. There are no high-speed chases down Lake Shore Drive. No one is getting "whacked" in a flashy way.
Instead, the movie opens with Joe getting out of the hospital after a brutal bout of pneumonia. He’s been gone for weeks. When he finally stumbles back to his apartment in "The Patch" (a rough-around-the-edges North Side neighborhood), he finds out his landlord literally thought he was dead. The guy didn't even wait for a body; he just pawned Joe’s stuff and rented the place to a single mother named Jenny and her daughter, Angelina.
Imagine that. You’re sixty-something, you’re weak, and your entire existence has been erased because you didn't have anyone to check on you.
Why the "Last Rites" Title Still Matters
The title is a bit of a trick. In the Catholic tradition, last rites are about preparing the soul for the afterlife. For Joe, his "rites" are about proving he actually existed.
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Writer-director Joe Maggio didn't want a shiny version of Chicago. He wanted the gray, slushy, freezing version where people wear thin leather jackets they can’t afford to replace. Joe May lives by a code that’s basically obsolete. He believes in:
- Keeping your shoes shined even if you’re broke.
- Never letting anyone see you sweat.
- Paying your debts, eventually.
- The idea that "something great" is just around the corner.
But the world doesn't care about his code. The city has moved on. The "Last Rites" are Joe's way of forcing the world to acknowledge him one last time.
That Meat Scene: A Tragicomic Masterpiece
There’s a specific moment that perfectly captures the "last rites of joe may." Joe tries to pull off one last "job" for an old-school loan shark named Lenny, played by Gary Cole. Lenny gives him a fifty-pound hunk of grass-fed lamb to sell.
It sounds easy, right?
But Joe is old. He’s sick. He’s hauling this massive, bloody piece of meat through the snowy alleys of Chicago like it’s a cross he's carrying. He’s being chased by a stray dog. It’s pathetic, it’s hilarious, and it’s heartbreaking all at once. It shows the sheer exhaustion of trying to be a "tough guy" when your body and the economy have both given up on you.
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Who was involved in the production?
The film didn't have a massive budget, but it had a powerhouse cast of Chicago regulars.
- Dennis Farina: The heart of the film. A former Chicago cop turned actor.
- Jamie Anne Allman: She plays Jenny, the mother who reluctantly shares the apartment.
- Gary Cole: The local crime figure who still has a sliver of respect for the old ways.
- Meredith Droeger: The kid, Angelina, who is the only person who treats Joe like a hero.
The Real-Life Legacy of Dennis Farina
It’s hard to watch this movie now without getting a little choked up. Farina was the ultimate Chicago guy. He had that mustache, that voice, and that "don’t mess with me" energy. The Last Rites of Joe May was one of his last major roles, and critics like Roger Ebert hailed it as the performance of his career.
Ebert noted that Farina didn't just play a character; he depicted a type of man that is disappearing from American cities. These are men who were once "somebody" in the neighborhood but are now just ghosts in thin coats.
Redemption Isn't Always a Happy Ending
Without spoiling the very end, let’s just say Joe’s redemption doesn't come from getting rich. It comes from a confrontation with Jenny’s abusive boyfriend, a crooked cop named Buczkowski.
For the first time in the movie, Joe isn't hustling for money. He isn't trying to look cool. He’s acting out of genuine love for the little girl and her mother. It’s his final act. His "last rite."
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People often ask if the movie is too bleak. Honestly? It’s pretty dark. But there’s a dignity in it. Joe May dies—or at least, faces his end—on his own terms, protecting someone else instead of just looking out for number one.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re going to dive into this, don't expect The Departed. It’s a slow burn. It’s an "art house" drama that feels more like an Italian neo-realist film (think Umberto D.) than a Hollywood blockbuster.
Watch for the way the camera lingers on the junk in the alleys and the steam coming off the buses. Maggio used the city as a character to show how cold life can be when you’re "short-money."
Next Steps for Film Lovers:
- Check streaming platforms: The movie often pops up on Tubi, Pluto TV, or Amazon Prime. It’s a hidden gem that many people skip over.
- Watch Dennis Farina’s other work: Compare this performance to his role in Get Shorty or Law & Order. You’ll see the incredible range he had.
- Notice the cinematography: Pay attention to the "Patch" neighborhood. It’s a side of Chicago you rarely see on screen—no skyscrapers, just survival.
Ultimately, Joe May teaches us that even if the world thinks you’re dead, you still have time to do one thing that matters. You don't need a priest for your last rites if you’ve finally found something worth standing up for.