Strictly Sinatra is a British film directed by Peter Capaldi and starring Ian Hart as Toni Cocozza in the lead role. The film was released in 2001 and explores the life of an aspiring lounge singer who dreams of becoming the next Frank Sinatra. Despite his talent for singing and his close relationship with aging piano player Bill, Toni struggles to make a name for himself in the cutthroat music industry.
Desperate for a break, Toni enters a local television talent show that promises to launch the career of the winner. However, things do not go as planned, and Toni's performance fails to impress the judges. Around the same time, he attracts the attention of local mob boss Chisolm, who sees Toni's talent as great entertainment. Chisolm offers Toni a job as his guest at a casino, where he meets cigarette girl Irene.
As Toni gets pulled deeper into Chisolm's world of crime, he gets odd jobs from Chisolm's number two, leading him to wonder if he's at a crossroads. Toni must decide whether to pursue his dreams of becoming a famous singer or take the easier path of working for the mob. Meanwhile, his relationship with Irene grows, and he starts to see a different side of life than the one he's been used to.
The film has a strong musical component, and numerous Sinatra songs are featured in the soundtrack. Ian Hart delivers a charismatic performance in the lead role, and the film's exploration of loyalty, ambition, and temptation makes it an engaging watch. Ultimately, Strictly Sinatra is a well-crafted film that blends the genres of crime and musical drama to tell a compelling story about the price of dreams.