Strictly Sinatra

2002

Strictly Sinatra

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Strictly Sinatra Photos

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Movie Info

True to its title, this gritty British drama chronicles a Scottish lounge singer named Toni Cocozza (played by Backbeat's Ian Hart) whose act consists of singing Ol' Blue Eyes covers in the dive bars of the working-class Glasgow neighborhoods. When he isn't performing, Toni's life is in a shambles; he is seen generally as the laughing stock of the community, with only his accompanist Bill (Alun Armstrong) there to give him support. Toni's life turns around, however, when a local gangster (Iain Cuthbertson) sends his imposing main man, Chisolm (Brian Cox), backstage with a request to perform an Elvis Presley song, which he does without argument. He is taken in by the new gang, landing a job at a casino run by Chisolm, where he meets a charming young cigarette girl named Irene (Kelly MacDonald). Toni finds his new life infinitely more fulfilling, but is warned of its dangers by trusty Bill, and when Toni is drawn further into the gang's violent doings, he becomes increasingly more afraid for his life. This is a second feature for writer/director Peter Capaldi, who is better known as an actor from such films as Bean and Captives.

Rating:

R (adult situations)
Genre:

Comedy, Drama
Directed By:

Peter Capaldi
Written By:

Peter Capaldi
In Theaters:

Jun 1, 2002 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Aug 27, 2002
Runtime:

97 minutes
Studio:

Universal Focus

Watch it now

Netflix

Cast

Kelly Macdonald
as Irene

Ian Hart
as Toni Cocozza

Alun Armstrong
as Bill

Brian Cox
as Chisolm

Tommy Flanagan
as Michaelangelo

Iain Cuthbertson
as Connolly

Una McLean
as Dainty

Jimmy Chisholm
as Kenny

Billy McColl

Jimmy Yuill
as Rod Edmunds

Richard E. Grant
as Himself

Jimmy Tarbuck
as Himself

Stewart Ennis
as Doorman

Paul Doonan
as Nicol

Anne Lacey
as Coat Check Girl

Alex Howden
as Kojak

Pauline Lockhart

Jamie Murphy
as Drowned Rat

Bill McColl
as John

Iain Fraser
as Joe

Douglas Eadie
as Hard Man

Calum Beaton
as Boy on Stairs

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Critic Reviews for Strictly Sinatra

All Critics (9) | Top Critics (1) | DVD (6)

Strictly Sinatra is certainly better than mediocre and it's often quite entertaining, but it's not precisely cause for a stampede to the video store.

Feb 21, 2003 | Rating: 70/100

Scott Weinberg
Apollo Guide
A smalltime flick in which a smalltime crooner accidentally becomes a smalltime hood.

Aug 22, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central
Kind of like 'Swingers' but with colorful Scottish accents!

Aug 10, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Kevin N. Laforest
Montreal Film Journal
Capaldi has found a neat way to stand the mafia movie genre on its head at times.

Aug 9, 2002 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
By the time Sinatra turns into GoodFellas, you'll have likely given up on the whole affair.

Aug 4, 2002 | Rating: 2/5

Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com
Loaded down with gritty Glasgow atmosphere and authenticity, and works so well as an ensemble piece.

Jun 22, 2001 | Rating: B

William Arnold
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

View All Critic Reviews (9)

Audience Reviews for Strictly Sinatra

Feb 15, 2009

Somewhat surreal sweet fairytale of a young amateur crooner coerced into the criminal Glasgow gangster underworld.

Ross C Super Reviewer