Romantic crime/Drama (Himself – Cameo appearance)

Strictly Sinatra (2000)
Radio Times Rating – 2 out of 5.
Director: Peter Capaldi
Starring: Ian Hart
Certificate: uncertificated for video
Running Time: 96mins
Country of Origin: UK

You can hear the pitch: "Here’s a brilliant twist on a tired old gangster scenario! Take a loser Sinatra obsessive. Give him some acclaim after singing for the local mob boss who says he’ll make it big. Have him then sell out on life and love. Set the tale in Glasgow. Fabulous." Only this isn’t.

Despite the efforts of actor/director Peter Capaldi in his feature debut and a strong cast – Brian Cox, Alun Armstrong and the two leads Ian Hart and Kelly Macdonald – this takes us on yet another trip to turgid Lock, Stock territory.

Hart as the pseudo Sinatra is exactly what he’s supposed to be: sad, clad in shiny suits and sporting a dreadful perm. Yet there’s something inherently depressing about him as the film’s focus. He sells out his pianist mentor Armstrong and girlfriend Macdonald all too easily. And for a world that is so obviously full of hollow promises. Ironically the only great thing here is the Sinatra soundtrack. With the remainder, you just don’t buy it. LH

More details:
Title: Strictly Sinatra (2000)
Genre: Romantic Crime Drama
Alternate Title: Cocozza’s Way
Original language: English
Theatrical Distributor: UIP
UK Cinema Certificate: 15
UK Cinema Release Date: November 2001

Cast
Toni Cocozza – Ian Hart
Irene – Kelly Macdonald
Chisholm – Brian Cox
Bill – Alun Armstrong
Michelangelo – Tommy Flanagan
Connolly – Iain Cuthbertson
Dainty – Una McLean
Richard E Grant – Richard E Grant
Jimmy Tarbuck – Jimmy Tarbuck
Crew
Director – Peter Capaldi
Screenplay – Peter Capaldi
Cinematographer – Stephen Blackman

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