Reviews

As much as I like this film I can still see the missed opportunities. It does work, Brando has a certain charm as Sky Masterson but be honest, he cant really do justice to the multitude of classic songs he has got. This is where the dilemma lies. Sinatra is a fantastic Nathan Detroit, but he doesnt get many songs. Sinatra could easily play both roles but Brando would not make a good Detroit. However getting these to together in a film as well as the unlikely opportunity of getting Brando singing and dancing in a musical (!!!) is its saving grace. Any other actor and it may have seemed as bizarre as it really was. However its carried off with style. Its lunacy is its backbone, heres an established "serious" actor crooning and dancing, while the serious singer acts more than he sings. Its not often you see Sinatra taking a back seat; albeit reluctantly! A great film for what it is, but if it had been given to a musical director I think it would have been in a completely different league.

Sinatra and co in their first real rat pack outing and in the most appropriate place...Las Vegas. Its fun, its clever and its full of in jokes. Its not really for those that dont like Sinatra or the clan, as a lot of it will be over the head. However it shows the ease of the relationships, they are having a laugh and you can see that, making the idea of these men being a close nit ex-army group all the more realistic.

Ok its not the greatest film in world and has been criticised for its sexism and the fact that no one seems bothered. The sexist remarks are tongue in cheek, the kind that would be heard in many a Gin-joint between a group of men. Take Martin's comments about taking the vote away from women and making slaves of them, a comment made in front of pals and a dream that I am sure many men would dream...oh come off it lads you would!

Sinatra is cool, confident and hard. When he is called a rat he takes it with a vulnerability that shows that deep down he really isn't but he knows he acts that way. Martin is his witty, drunken, sexy self and Sammy is simply cool.

Its not a film that will set the world on fire, its simply a chance to see a group of fine performers act together. Its a gem for anyone who has ever loved a rat packer and the famous ending sequence illustrates just how cool the guys really were as it was emulated in the classic 'Reservoir Dogs', proving sharp suits and attitude never go out of fashion.

This is the most serious film made by the packers and its amazing to see them all acting together. The chemistry between Sinatra and Martin is magical, just as it is in may other films like the ultimate classic "some came running" in which the pair really shine, however in oceans eleven they have extra back up.

Its a shame no more films were made, maybe a nice serious film for the critics, but thats not what it was all about, it was about fun, laughs and having your buddy's with you. So grab a martini and a cigerette and live live till you die.