Sinatra

I watched the two-video VHS packet of this, the past two nights, not knowing what to expect, and was amazed at the depth of the portrayal. I've been a low-level fan of Sinatra's ever since the screaming bobby-soxer days, and while I've never read a formal biog, the ins and outs of his career could hardly escape any observant song-lover. So I knew something of his rough spots, and was amazed by how well this film covers the complexity and nuances of Sinatra's persona.

Although the stress seems heavy on his ego, I've not much doubt it was accurate. The guy, in truth, lived a most amazing life; and I felt the honesty of the portrayal to be one of the best, for any biopic I've ever seen. It's to his family's credit that they permitted such honesty.

Casnoff not only did a superb job of the character, but he even looks amazingly like a young Sinatra. It's hard to rate the other performers on that level, but they at least are quite believable. Particularly for the two major women in his life, Nancy and Ava.