Wonderful character development!

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

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.

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.

There is something which, for me, is more compelling about films set in Europe which are made by filmmakers in their home areas. Even if Spielberg, Allen, Mamet or the like, from America, with all their talent and resources, make films in Great Britain, France, Spain, etc. - they never seem to gain the true "feel" of the locale as well as native producers and directors. As an example, absolutely nobody can evoke the true character and feel of Madrid and the rest of Spain like the great Amodóvar.Although this small film is hardly in the category of one of Amodóvar's, it provides a true "feel" for Scotland and Glasgow, including its often gray, dreary atmosphere, in the most authentic manner, making the amusing, light story even better.The music is great, the acting and characters engaging, and somehow the characters seem both realistic and fanciful, sometimes simultaneously, a trick many larger films miss.As a bonus, we also can now see where Mike Myers likely obtained the accent he employed for the "Fat Bastard" character in his Austin Powers work.

"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.