Une star dans la mafia

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.

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"Strictly Sinatra" tells of a young Glasgow club singer and Sinatra wannabe (Hart) who falls in with the mob while falling in love with the mob's ex-cigarette girl (Macdonald) and must choose between the mob and fame or the girl and love. A pleasing and enjoyable little comedy/light drama, the film is flavored with lots of old Sinatra standards, some gangster skullduggery, a few poignant moments, and just a spritz of romance. Although "Strictly Sinatra" is strictly a mediocre flick, it makes for an enjoyable small screen watch for those who don't mind dreary old Glasgow and thick Scottish accents.

I tuned in to see Kelly Macdonald (Trainspotting, The Loss of Sexual innocence), and was rewarded with what was the best performance I have seen of her so far. She was just alive and incredible as the love interest.

I got a bonus because the lead, Ian Hart (Breakfast on Pluto, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) was excellent in the role of a hack lounge singer that got involved with the mob to get a break. He was lucky he didn't get a break - on his legs or arms. Watching him get sucked in for a chance was a great experience.

Along the way, we also got some fine performances from Brian Cox (The Ring, The Bourne Supremacy) and Alun Armstrong (Eragon, The Mummy returns.

And the music! You can just imagine from the title. Stupendous.

A gem of a movie that needs more exposure so more film fans can appreciate its luster. It encompasses a wide variety of cinematic flavors, from subtle doses of dry Scottish humor, to classy musical productions and to everyday life drama played out on the streets of Glasgow. Yes, Toni (Ian Hart) wants the fame that accompanies a successful singer/entertainer, but at what price is he willing to pay? Not an especially original story theme, but the way the cast and crew twist this basic theme in their metaphorical fingers, it comes out refreshingly entertaining.

The cast is marvelous, using well scripted lines with flawless delivery in their native brogue with all the accompanying idiomatic expressions. Brian Cox, who is equally adept at American film roles/brogue, stands out in his role as a ruthless gangster. I think his all-round talent is under appreciated by too many film goers. Ian Hart, as the lead, Kelly Macdonald and Alun Armstrong are on the mark in their role interpretations. Too bad that many American film goers will probably eschew this film because of the hard to follow Celtic accents. Hey, if that's the case, turn the close caption "ON" and sit back and enjoy two hours of fresh fun!

While there isn't anything fantastic about this film, there isn't anything bad. It's all about entertainment, and this film will hold your attention if you have moderate film intelligence, and you are not falling down tired or otherwise dulled. It has a realistic story about believable characters.

There is no Hollywood here. This is another great testament to the growing (in quality and volume) non-England British Isles film industry. The acting is good and the story is quaint. The direction is tight for the most part, except when it tries to be "action-oriented." Still good. Enjoy it.

6.3/10