Strictly Sinatra (2001)

Small-time crooner find himself on the receiving end of the threatening attentions of a gangster, whose wife has fallen for the singer's Sinatra-like aura.

Director:

Peter Capaldi

Writer:

Peter Capaldi

Stars:

Ian Hart, Kelly Macdonald, Brian Cox

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ian Hart	...	Toni Cocozza
Kelly Macdonald	...	Irene
Brian Cox	...	Chisolm
Alun Armstrong	...	Bill
Tommy Flanagan	...	Michaelangelo
Iain Cuthbertson	...	Connolly
Una McLean	...	Dainty
Jimmy Chisholm	...	Kenny
Jimmy Yuill	...	Rod Edmunds
Richard E. Grant	...	Self
Jimmy Tarbuck	...	Self
Stewart Ennis	...	Doorman
Paul Doonan	...	Nicol
Anne Lacey	...	Coat check girl
Alex Howden	...	Kojak

Storyline

In Glasgow, Toni Cocozza, age 28, aspires to be a lounge singer; his repertoire is strictly Sinatra, backed by Bill, an aging piano player and his only friend. Toni dreams big and enters a local television talent show. About that time, a local Mob boss decides Toni is great entertainment and invites him to be his guest at a casino. Toni chats up Irene, a cigarette girl, he gets an odd job or two from Chisolm, the mobster's number two, the audition goes bust, and Toni's future is uncertain. One thing leads to another with the Mob. Is Toni at a crossroads, or is there in reality no turning or going back?

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Plot Keywords:

singer | dream | piano player | mob boss | lounge singer | 

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Taglines:

Toni wanted a crowd... he got the mob

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is dedicated to Ian Bannen.

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Quotes

Toni Cocozza: Are you saying I'm stupid?
Bill: You couldn't stand the pace of stupid!

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Connections

References Pal Joey (1957)

User Reviews

Great Performances!

Tony wanted a crowd. . .he got the mob.

That's the tag-line for Peter Capaldi's (writer/director), Strictly Sinatra. In this 97 minute romantic/drama we we meet Tony Cocozza (Ian Hart). He's a 28 year-old crooner in a bottom-feeding bar in Glasgow. He aspires to be the next singer sensation, dreams that Tony Bennett sneaks to watch his performance, and Old Blue Eyes crowns him the next in Strictly Sinatra in line to be King of the Rat Pack. Dreams. Always so far from the truth.

Bill (Alun Armstrong) is not only Tony's piano player the club, but his best –and possibly only– friend. It's when a mob boss and his wife are particularly taken with Tony's talent after seeing a show, that Tony's life is thrust into chaos. Bill's advice is to never accept a drink from the mob. Once you do, they have you. And what does Tony do? He accepts a drink. Next thing he knows he's helping mob crews collect shipments and storing them and delivering them.

In the midst of this new found attention, the mob assists Tony with his career some. (Not unlike Frankie's rumored push to stardom, some might say). He meets a cigarette girl named Irene (Kelly MacDonald). The two hit it off in a friend-zone kind of way. The attraction is there. The awkwardness of potential romance, too. The problem is, Tony is getting caught up in the misplaced glory and definition that comes with being someone who is . . . as he puts it, Connected.

Things go from bad to worse as the mob pulls strings on Tony's behalf, and Bill is clearly aware of what is taking place. Needless to say, he's not very happy about any of it. It is when Irene begins to see the light, and wants nothing to do with it that Tony realizes he might be making a huge mistake. But as it always seems to be with mobs, once you're in, getting out is impossible.

Faced with decisions that will carry extreme consequences, Tony must make choices that will no doubt end badly for some, worse for others. What will he do? What can he do? And is there really still time to do anything at all — or is it too late?

I thought Strictly Sinatra was entertaining. If it weren't for the accents, you'd think you were watching an Italian Mafia movie. The dialog is crisp and tight. The scenes are important and move the plot constantly forward. The acting is exceptional on all counts by each and every actor. I give Strictly Sinatra 4 of 5 Tombstones.

http://www.philliptomasso.com/

Details

Official Sites:

DNA Films Universal Studios

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 November 2001 (UK)

Also Known As:

Strictly Sinatra

Filming Locations:

Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,066

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arts Council of England, DNA Films, DNA Pictures International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1