Rating: 
Summary: Pure excellence, the Rat Pack is portrayed to perfection!
Review: The Rat Pack is one of the greatest movies made! Ray Liotta does an excellent job in his portrayal of Frank Sinatra. He captures his mannerisms and his soul. Joe Mantegna is also superb in his role as Dean Martin. He captures Dino's sarcasim, mannerisms, and slap stick comedy to perfection. I also enjoyed the other portrayals of Jack Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Joe Kennedy, Maryiln Monroe, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis, and Joey Bishop. The touch of scandal in the plot also made it a movie which makes you wonder if it all really occured. All in all an excellent film!
Rating: 
Summary: Typical caricatures of exceptionally talented performers
Review: The viewer gets little idea of what the lives of Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Lawford and Bishop (he is barely seen in the two-hour film, though admittedly he was a minor member)were actually like. Yes, the movie is about the "Rat Pack," but this aspect of these performers' lives was only a small portion, while here the viewer is given the impression that these shenanigans are basically all they did during the early 1960s. (Frank, Dino and Sam all recorded extensively and Sinatra did found a little company called Reprise Records in 1960, making several fine albums.) The Kennedy connection is exaggerated to an unbelievable degree: although Sinatra was a friend and supporter of JFK, going so far as to honor Joe Kennedy's wish of asking golf pal Sam Giancana to muscle some West Virginia votes in Jack's direction, this subplot carries far too much of the film--but, of course, sensationalism is what draws many viewers in. Mantegna and Cheadle are superb as Martin and Davis (though Dino gets short shrift), but Liotta, though a fine actor, is NOT Sinatra by any stretch of the imagination. Admittedly, there probably is no actor capable of capturing even a glint of Frank's charisma, personality or talent--nevertheless, this fact detracts from any "realism" the movie many have. And the movie is stifled by the producer's inability to use any of the original music, killing any true atmosphere that could have been achieved. (Viewers unfamiliar with the original recordings may enjoy the movie to a higher degree than "Pack" fans and Frankophiles.) The earlier TV miniseries, SINATRA, starring Philip Casnoff, who was officially chosen by the Sinatra family, makes for better and more accurate viewing. (Too bad this movie doesn't have Mantegna and Cheadle.) --Scott Allen Nollen, author of the forthcoming SINATRA AT THE CINEMA (Midnight Marquee)
Rating: 
Summary: Almost bought the whole idea.
Review: This attempt was well done. I would have prefered hearing the original voices,(sound a likes were used) although I realize this would have limited the total soundtrack.Liotta did a nice job playing Sinatra. Big ring a ding ding goes to Mantegna as Dean and Cheadle as Sammy. Some of this story is based on many true stories told in many of the biographies that have been written, however for the casual fan it may be tough to sort out truth from fiction. Only scene in the movie that gave me pause was Cheadle's song and dance to "Got me under your skin" This was done as a dream sequnce in front of a crowd protesting his inpending marriage to May Britt. It just didn't seem to fit. Overall I enjoyed the movie thoughoughly. A nice addition to your Rat Pack Collection.
Rating:
Summary: ENTERTAINING ALL THE WAY
Review: This is excellent. A lot of people think Liotta was not a convincing Sinatra, but I think he's excellent - I mean Sinatra had TESTOSTERONE! Ray's a better Sinatra than any I've seen ('cept the Man Himself). Ray picks up on Sinatra's complexities - he was refreshingly childlike at times, highly volatile at times, not very educated but extremely intelligent, VERY much obsessed with Ava Gardner, his second wife, a loyal friend, an advocate of Civil Rights, all this with a desperate need to feel accepted and loved. The rest of the Pack are superb, especially Don Cheadle - I just wish Dino had more screen-time and more lines. Much of the script is based on FBI files, and is quite accurate for a film of this nature. This really happened: Sinatra got Kennedy elected to the Presidency in 1960. Some amazing historical facts that have only come to light in recent years. But most of all, this is entertaining - some GREAT lines, well-researched. It does not portray Sinatra in a all bad or all good light - just as a VERY PASSIONATE HUMAN BEING with endless energy and creativity and a need for adventure - especially in the Sands Hotel rooms...
Rating:
Summary: Ring-A-Ding-Ding! This film is a gasser, baby.
Review: This is the absolutely perfect film for enjoying a nice rocks glass of Jack Daniels with water on the rocks (Sinatra's favorite drink). Dig the first scene as the credits roll: the legend himself getting ready for a concert, going out into his retinue of flunkies, having one flunkie answer his command to "Match me" by failing to get his cigarette lighter going fast enough, only to have the hand that must belong to a beautiful woman come forth with a "Here you are, Mr. Sinatra." To which the only response has gotta be, as Frank says, "Thanks. doll." As much as any actor can, Ray Liotta conveys the energy and total self-absorption and tremendous talent that was Frank Sinatra. The Kennedy connection is the thread upon which hangs this tale of cool at the dawn of a decade that definitely was not; and it is used to masterful effect to convey a fundamental insecurity that, for all of Sinatra's achievements, he could never quite shake. The cloying nature of his relationship with JFK is quite evident and, for all I have read about both men, pretty close to the historical record. But who can say? This film is a great compilation of talent and makes some telling, though subtle, points: among which is the fact that, of the three superstars who were at the core of the Rat Pack, Sammy Davis, Jr. was by far the most multi-talented. As Davis, Don Cheadle gives perhaps the best performance of a trio of very strong performances. By conveying Sam's dignity as well as his consistant refusal to give up in an era when that temptation must have been overwhelming, he helps to document a heroism that should be better known. It must have been hard for Joe Mantegna to get at the core of Dean Martin -- I am sure he must have relied heavily on Nick Tosches's book, "Dino." Is this the real Dean? Ya got me, pallie. But it is well done. This is above all a movie to enjoy. In that sense, it is as true to the Rat Pack's legacy as anything. So grab a bottle of Jack Daniels for Frank, or J&B scotch for Dino, or whatever for Sam, and drink to the memory of a great trio of men who lightened our hearts and put some songs on our lips that will, just maybe, stay there forever.
Rating:
Summary: Ring-A-Ding-Ding! This film is a gasser, baby.
Review: This is the absolutely perfect film for enjoying a nice rocks glass of Jack Daniels with water on the rocks (Sinatra's favorite drink). Dig the first scene as the credits roll: the legend himself getting ready for a concert, going out into his retinue of flunkies, having one flunkie answer his command to "Match me" by failing to get his cigarette lighter going fast enough, only to have the hand that must belong to a beautiful woman come forth with a "Here you are, Mr. Sinatra." To which the only response has gotta be, as Frank says, "Thanks. doll." As much as any actor can, Ray Liotta conveys the energy and total self-absorption and tremendous talent that was Frank Sinatra. The Kennedy connection is the thread upon which hangs this tale of cool at the dawn of a decade that definitely was not; and it is used to masterful effect to convey a fundamental insecurity that, for all of Sinatra's achievements, he could never quite shake. The cloying nature of his relationship with JFK is quite evident and, for all I have read about both men, pretty close to the historical record. But who can say? This film is a great compilation of talent and makes some telling, though subtle, points: among which is the fact that, of the three superstars who were at the core of the Rat Pack, Sammy Davis, Jr. was by far the most multi-talented. As Davis, Don Cheadle gives perhaps the best performance of a trio of very strong performances. By conveying Sam's dignity as well as his consistant refusal to give up in an era when that temptation must have been overwhelming, he helps to document a heroism that should be better known. It must have been hard for Joe Mantegna to get at the core of Dean Martin -- I am sure he must have relied heavily on Nick Tosches's book, "Dino." Is this the real Dean? Ya got me, pallie. But it is well done. This is above all a movie to enjoy. In that sense, it is as true to the Rat Pack's legacy as anything. So grab a bottle of Jack Daniels for Frank, or J&B scotch for Dino, or whatever for Sam, and drink to the memory of a great trio of men who lightened our hearts and put some songs on our lips that will, just maybe, stay there forever.
Rating:
Summary: Entertainment 4 stars, accuracy 2 stars maybe
Review: This movie is indeed good entertainment and nothing more than that. It somewhat captures the swinging late 50s and early 60s before the onslaught of the Beatles changed the music industry forever. There are a bunch of half truths and rumors in here but the movie is fun to watch anyway if you take it with a grain of salt. For example, by early 1962, Sinatra was no longer at CAPITOL and the song ONE FOR MY BABY was recorded at CAPITOL in 1958. None of the rat pack except maybe Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford's character closely resemble the real legends in looks and speaking voice. As stated earlier, this is a good half truth, half fiction movie.
Rating:
Summary: Entertainment 4 stars, accuracy 2 stars maybe
Review: This movie is indeed good entertainment and nothing more than that. It somewhat captures the swinging late 50s and early 60s before the onslaught of the Beatles changed the music industry forever. There are a bunch of half truths and rumors in here but the movie is fun to watch anyway if you take it with a grain of salt. For example, by early 1962, Sinatra was no longer at CAPITOL and the song ONE FOR MY BABY was recorded at CAPITOL in 1958. None of the rat pack except maybe Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford's character closely resemble the real legends in looks and speaking voice. As stated earlier, this is a good half truth, half fiction movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Year In the Life
Review: This movie should be more appropriately titled, "Frank Sinatra (and Some Other Guys)." Really, it purports to be about the Rat Pack, but really doesn't focus very much on anyone else. A lot of time is mismanaged in the movie, and the pacing drags along poorly in many spots.
The whole movie takes place in the time frame between John Kennedy's presidential campaign, 1959, to about a year later. It doesn't focus on the beginnings of the careers of the various members of the Rat Pack, nor does it come to say how they got to know each other. It starts at one point in their association, wanders along, and then stops at what passes for a climactic down ending. It all seemed rather arbitrary.
I wouldn't say this movie was actually about the Rat Pack. It was more about Frank Sinatra's affair with the Kennedys, and his connection to organized crime. Frank campaigns for Jack. Frank meets with Joe Sr.. Frank controls the mob. As for the others, Dean Martin drinks and sulks, Sammy Davis Jr has trouble because he's black, Peter Lawford plays message boy between Joe and Frank, and oh yeah, Joey Bishop is in a few scenes, too. The movie doesn't focus on their rise to fame, since they're all famous by the beginning of the movie. And it's also not really about them working together, since although they do work together in the film, that's not really the focus. Then the movie just stops when Sinatra gets mad at Lawford because JFK can't stay with Frank in Palm Springs. That's the thrilling climax. Not a great movie.
It had some interesting historical headlines in it that give some info you might not know about. The beginning of the movie has an older Frank getting ready for a show, stuffing one pocket with cigarettes, the other with breath mints. Then he gets ready to go on stage, and for no reason, stops and looks unresponsive for a bit, until a stage hand calls his name twice, and he says, "I miss my guys." Then he walks on stage, and suddenly he's the young Frank, singing "I'm Gonna Live Til I Die" and the headlines scroll past while he sings. After this, it nonsequiturs into the story, such as it is. The movie never returns to the older Frank, so that whole beginning was kind of pointless. As an example of the mismanaged pacing of this movie, Frank's connection to the mob is reduced to a few lines between Frank and Momo Giancana, but we see the entire Sinatra/Davis/Martin/Lawford rendition of High Hopes performed at the 1960 Democratic convention. From the way this movie portrays it, not only does he singlehandedly get Kennedy elected, he also controls all the organized crime and labor unions in the US.
The performances are nothing special, but the actors look and act little like their historical counterparts. The script is tiresome, with long conversations that do little to further the plot or portray the characters. Several scenes had me wondering when this scene would end so they could get back to the story, until it occurred to me that these disjointed scenes were supposed to be the story.
I don't know how accurate the movie was as far as the details of all the events go, really. I just know I didn't like it.
Rating:
Summary: Ecellent movie, great acting
Review: This movie was highly entertaining. The only problem I have is that 1) It tried to cover too much in a short amount of time and, 2)the best performances had the least amount of screen time. I thought the Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr and, Peter Lawford roles were excellent. They each really seemed to capture their characters, while Ray Liotta seemed to be overwhelmed by his. Overall though the rest of the crew more than made up for it. Rent it, Buy it, steal it, whatever just make sure you see it.
|
