- Actors: Ian Hart, Kelly Macdonald, Brian Cox, Alun Armstrong, Tommy Flanagan
- Directors: Peter Capaldi
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Vvl
- VHS Release Date: 27 May 2002
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000063VBO
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 39,896 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Peter Capaldi, the writer and director of the vaguely amusing and almost engaging Strictly Sinatra, seems to have had two recent strains of British film-making on his mind: the Guy Ritchie school of modern mob capers and the post-modern urban Scottish noir of Shallow Grave and Trainspotting. Indeed Kelly MacDonald, who starred in the latter, appears in Strictly Sinatra as a similar rough-around-the-edges love interest.
The film revolves around what happens when hapless Glasgow lounge-singer Tony Cocozza (played by the always capable Ian Hart) crosses paths with the local Mafiosi. Their initial mutual attraction is derived from the ability of the parties to support each other’s delusions: Cocozza wishes he was Sinatra, they wish they were Sinatra’s dubious cronies. But Cocozza swiftly realises that he has, as the song goes, bitten off more than he can chew, and proceeds, predictably enough, from doubt to epiphany to redemption to happy ending.--Andrew Mueller
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:DVD
Toni Cocozza (Ian Hart) is a small-time lounge singer in Glasgow, who performs all Sinatra songs. He's obsessed with Ol' Blue Eyes and dreams of Vegas and stardom. One night, an elderly mob boss and his wife see the show and become Toni's biggest fans. He slowly enters their world and before he knows it, he's become one of the man's henchmen.
This is a cute drama with an appealing leading man. Ian Hart is sweet and vulnerable playing a dreamer with limited talent. I was rooting for him all the way. He gets into some nail-biting situations with the gang, led by Brian Cox and Tommy Flannagan who are both quite menacing. Kelly Macdonald is adorable as a cigarette girl who falls for Toni.
The movie is exciting and really held my interest. The Glasgow slang and accents may require the use of subtitles, but they are charming. Recommended.
This is a cute drama with an appealing leading man. Ian Hart is sweet and vulnerable playing a dreamer with limited talent. I was rooting for him all the way. He gets into some nail-biting situations with the gang, led by Brian Cox and Tommy Flannagan who are both quite menacing. Kelly Macdonald is adorable as a cigarette girl who falls for Toni.
The movie is exciting and really held my interest. The Glasgow slang and accents may require the use of subtitles, but they are charming. Recommended.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This film inhabits similar territory to "American Cousins" - both are set in Glasgow and deal with frustrated dreams and local gangsters; but where "American Cousins" has a more whimsical, sub-Bill Forsyth comedic feel to it, "Strictly Sinatra" has an altogether darker tone.
Ian Hart plays Toni Cocozza, a modestly talented Sinatra wannabe who finds himself rubbing shoulders with local gangsters after he sings a request number at a club engagement. Toni is delusional from the outset, failing to realise that originality, not emulation is the key requirement to success - and that trying to ape an American while retaining a Glaswegian accent is on the road to no-where. Fascinated by tales of Sinatra and Las Vegas told by Chisolm the gang boss (chillingly played by Brian Cox), Toni finds himself being slowly drawn into their criminal activities by accepting their patronage and help with his career.
Hart plays the part rather as if he were John Gordon Sinclair - he has a similar gangly awkwardness about him - so there are times when the film strives for comic effect while only partially succeeding; Hart does a good job of the singing, however - he gets the Sinatra sound very well. Kelly Macdonald plays Irene, the girl he meets and falls for at the casino Chisolm invites him to and Alun Armstrong puts in a good performance - complete with convincing Scottish accent - as Toni`s accompanist and much wiser friend. The cast is actually very strong overall - the film is reasonably entertaining, if a little lacking in ambition - don`t expect too much and you`ll probably enjoy it. Its one of these workman-like British films that probably didn`t make any money but does what it set out to do; I saw it on TV and decided it was worth obtaining - it can be found at a reasonable price, but I suspect that once it is deleted it will be a long time before it becomes available again.
Ian Hart plays Toni Cocozza, a modestly talented Sinatra wannabe who finds himself rubbing shoulders with local gangsters after he sings a request number at a club engagement. Toni is delusional from the outset, failing to realise that originality, not emulation is the key requirement to success - and that trying to ape an American while retaining a Glaswegian accent is on the road to no-where. Fascinated by tales of Sinatra and Las Vegas told by Chisolm the gang boss (chillingly played by Brian Cox), Toni finds himself being slowly drawn into their criminal activities by accepting their patronage and help with his career.
Hart plays the part rather as if he were John Gordon Sinclair - he has a similar gangly awkwardness about him - so there are times when the film strives for comic effect while only partially succeeding; Hart does a good job of the singing, however - he gets the Sinatra sound very well. Kelly Macdonald plays Irene, the girl he meets and falls for at the casino Chisolm invites him to and Alun Armstrong puts in a good performance - complete with convincing Scottish accent - as Toni`s accompanist and much wiser friend. The cast is actually very strong overall - the film is reasonably entertaining, if a little lacking in ambition - don`t expect too much and you`ll probably enjoy it. Its one of these workman-like British films that probably didn`t make any money but does what it set out to do; I saw it on TV and decided it was worth obtaining - it can be found at a reasonable price, but I suspect that once it is deleted it will be a long time before it becomes available again.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Ian Hart does it his way
22 Aug 2002
Format:DVD
Ian Hart is always an amazing performer, and this role is no exception. This is the story of Toni Cocozza, a small-time Scootish crooner with dreams of being the next Sinatra. It looks like he might finally be catching a break when he catches the eye of a "prominent local businessman" and meets the girl of dreams but nothing is ever that easy and he finds he has to earn his keep among in his new circle, much to the horror of his true friends.
There is not a bad performance in the film. Kelly Macdonald, Alun Armstrong and Brian Cox portray their characters wonderfully, but it is ultimately Ian Hart's movie and he doesn't disappoint. I also think he sings quite well.
Technically, there are no extras on the DVD which is a bit frustrating, but what can you do?
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Strictly for Ian Hart Fans
12 Dec 2003
Format:DVD
Ian Hart, so convincing as John Lennon in "Backbeat," plays again a singer. He is Toni Cocozza, a Glaswegian crooner who sings only the songs of Sinatra (hence, the title). He dreams of being like Sinatra, but it is painfully obvious that he lacks something that will make him a star.
But one day he accidentally gets acquainted with the local mobsters, after singing "In the Ghetto," much against his original intention. Anyway, Toni thinks this could be oppotunity for him, for Chisholm, one of the gangsters (played by Brian Cox) is interested in him, not as a singer maybe, but who cares? And Chisholm says he met Frank in person, which draws this naive, starrey-eyed Toni into underworld.
The film shows some good characters, including Toni, Chesholm, and Toni's girlfriend Irene (played by wonderful Kelly MacDonald "Trainspotting"). And the film has very moody atmosphere. The acting is good, though the singing is not, because the point is, Toni is not supposed to be a big timer.
But the most disappointing thing is its very conventional story and lack of power at many crutial moments of Toni's life. Toni is involved in many crimes, about which he shows little concern or interest. Ian Hart's deft performance cannot help the film from being just another ordinary UK gangster film.
This is not a Frank Sinatra film, or about jazz singer for that matter. Consider this an off-beat gangster drama, and you might find it interesting.
See Richard E Grant who briefly appears as himself.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
A must-see for Sinatra lovers
12 April 2008
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ian Hart is very charismatic as a small-time night club singer who, as the title says, sings "strictly Sinatra" tunes. He does this surprisingly well and turns out an impressive performance in this small, sweet movie. It's a very good film, especially if you enjoy the music of Frank Sinatra, whom Ian Hart's character (Tony Cocozza) completely idolizes. Brian Cox rocks, as usual, playing a mob lieutenant. Hart endears himself to the top mob boss who likes his singing. There's also a cute romance included and a wonderful, uplifting climax with Hart singing "My Way". Check it out, I'm sure you'll like it too.
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