Strictly Sinatra (Widescreen)

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.

The box cover image is deceptive. Amazon doesn't show a VHS box image at the time I am writing this, but they have an image for the DVD (and it's the same one). The box shows a man in a tuxedo, (Tony, the main character). The background is the LAS VEGAS STRIP. Right? It shows the strip looking from the vicinity of The Stratosphere looking toward The Mirage or so.

THERE IS NO LAS VEGAS IN THIS MOVIE AT ALL though. In fact, except for the last 20 seconds of the movie, THERE IS NO AMERICA IN THIS MOVIE EITHER.

The movie is weak. Its impossible to care about ANY of the characters. And goodness, what was the producer thinking having Tony go around throughout the movie wearing a ridiculous 20 dollar winter coat that looks like it belongs on a school kid?

He is not credible as a singer at all. The entire movie is Irish accents. Nothing but Irish accents. If you like that, then fine, but otherwise it will drive you out of your mind.

The singing was miserable. The version of My Way sung near the end was sickeningly bad.

Nobody acted well. The story is constantly absurd. The acting has no credibility. There is never a moment when you believe that these are real people in real situations.

Even when they are acting in a life or death situation, the acting is so bad that you will not for a second believe that they are living what they are acting.

AND THERE IS NO LAS VEGAS AT ALL.