Although Frank Sinatra remained a hugely popular entertainer, his film career was effectively scuppered by the dreadful 'Lady in Cement' and the even worse 'Dirty Dingus Magee' but ten years later he has been given the opportunity to play the kind of role that fits him like a glove and for which he has an obvious empathy. For this viewer at any rate his character of Edward Delaney is an extension of Joe Leland which he had played so well in 'The Detective'.
His is a mellow, beautifully understated performance that belongs in the 'little is good, less is better' category and he is given splendid support by Martin Gabel, James Whitmore and Brenda Vaccaro whilst Faye Dunaway does the very best she can in an utterly thankless role as Delaney's hospitalised wife and is undeserving of her nominations by 'Razzie' and 'Stinker' as Worst Actress.
Sinatra's choice of Gordon Jenkins to compose the autumnal score is inspired as Jenkins had been arranger/conductor on some of the singer's most touching albums, notably 'Where are you?' and 'No one cares'.
It is loosely adapted from the novel by Lawrence Sanders and the considerably changed ending in which Delaney becomes self-appointed executioner will not sit easy with many.
Certainly not a great film by any means but is worth watching for the fine performances and not least for being Sinatra's last hurrah.
His is a mellow, beautifully understated performance that belongs in the 'little is good, less is better' category and he is given splendid support by Martin Gabel, James Whitmore and Brenda Vaccaro whilst Faye Dunaway does the very best she can in an utterly thankless role as Delaney's hospitalised wife and is undeserving of her nominations by 'Razzie' and 'Stinker' as Worst Actress.
Sinatra's choice of Gordon Jenkins to compose the autumnal score is inspired as Jenkins had been arranger/conductor on some of the singer's most touching albums, notably 'Where are you?' and 'No one cares'.
It is loosely adapted from the novel by Lawrence Sanders and the considerably changed ending in which Delaney becomes self-appointed executioner will not sit easy with many.
Certainly not a great film by any means but is worth watching for the fine performances and not least for being Sinatra's last hurrah.