Wonderful character development!

Really Surprised!

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

You could hardly accuse scribe/helmer Peter Capaldi of being subtle. The real Francis Albert Sinatra had widely documented alleged 'connections' with organised crime, specifically the Mafia and Capaldi's Tony Cocozza, a club singer whose repertoire is, as he tells his pianist, strictly Sinatra, makes initial contact with heavy hitting Glasgow gangsters within two reels. If you can get past that without yawning this isn't a bad time-passer and if Brian Cox is well OTT Alun Armstrong turns in a fine low-key cast-against type performance as Cocozza's pianist and closest thing to friend whilst Kelly MacDonald is 1) great to look at and 2) unbelievably and unrealistically nice-cum-naïve. The tune-stack is well up to snuff though Ian Hart is to Sinatra what Dick Van Dyke is to cockney.

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.http://www.philliptomasso.com/

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.

Don't miss this film. I came across it by accident and I was hooked after 2 minutes. I love this movie. Brian Cox is, as always, perfect. What a range he's got! Ian Hart as Toni is so believable you don't even think he's acting. Alun Armstrong plays the perfect heart of gold cum voice of conscience. Tommy Flannagan manages to be vicious and evil but somehow sexy at the same time. Must be that "bad boy" thing. I was fascinated by the Scotland portrayed here. I think of Scotland as lovely hairy men in kilts. Truth to tell, there was not one kilt to be seen here. This is the real urban Scotland (Edinburgh?) and nothing like what I pictured. The script is flawless. The ending...I won't spoil it for you. Oh, and Kelly MacDonald performs beautifully and believably. You won't be disappointed with this one. I gave it a 10!