The Rat Pack
They never let the rules geti n the way of having fun.
They had "the world on a string". Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, known as the "The Rat Pack", set the style and the pace for 1950's America as the nation roller-coastered it's way towards the swinging '60's. But can the high life last forever? If Frank and the boys have their way by electing John F. Kennedy, the party has only just begun.
Member Reviews
The Kings Of Cool - Mustang1
This movie captures the personalities and the lifestyle of the 'original kings of cool' to a tee. Ray Liotta nails his role as Frank Sinatra, as does William Peterson as J. F Kennedy and Angus Macfayden as Peter Lafford. This movie leaves behind the vague sense of what it was to be one of the most famous people of the day and brings it to us in reality. I didn't just watch this movie, I was there, in 1960's Las Vegas with the Rat Pack, living the high life and I hated to see the end of the movie. It also shows us the complex relationships between Frank and his mob buddies, movie star buddies, Eva Gardner and J.F Kennedy and how he tries to balance himself as Frank Sinatra in each of those aspects of his life. I give this movie 5 stars!Like Being A Fly On The Wall - revsdd
I've given a lot of thought to this movie and, in all honesty, I can't think of anything in particular to critique about it. Revolving around the relationship between the famous "Rat Pack" of the 1960's (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop) and focusing heavily on their relationship with the Kennedy's, this is a very entertaining, well-done film that provided a peek at the lives of the 1960's Hollywood jet-set. In addition to the Rat Pack and the Kennedy's we get glimpses of Marilyn Monroe (Barbara Niven) and Joe DiMaggio (John Diehl,) and a look at the involvement of organized crime.
The performances are strong. Ray Liotta was a standout as Sinatra, but no less compelling were Joe Mantegna as Martin and Angus MacFadyen as Lawford. Bobby Slayton as Joey Bishop was less central to the story, but pulled off the character well. Only Don Cheadle (as Davis) seemed to not quite grasp his character, but he still managed a good performance. The intricacies of the relationship between the five (particularly between Sinatra and Lawford) are detailed and everything seems very natural. Is this really the way it was? I don't know. Only these five would know for sure, but the movie seemed plausible and was an entertaining evening - another success for HBO in my opinion. I found it fascinating stuff.Could have been better.. - Cricri7
The rat pack should have been so much better than what it came out to be. You look at the magnificent actors in this movie and wnoder why it was not better than this. You look at the line up and you watch them deliver their lines and you feel bad for them. The movie keeps repeating itself with black and jew jokes all through out. You laugh at it once but get tired of it at the 10th one.
You can see that the movie did not have a big budget but it is the script that is lacking here, not the decors. I don't care that they are always in the same restaurant if they had any lines to deliver.
All in all, it is a good movie but not a great one. The music is excellent and the actors are magnificent but the script is not the best.
Member Reviews
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The Kings Of Cool - Mustang1
This movie captures the personalities and the lifestyle of the 'original kings of cool' to a tee. Ray Liotta nails his role as Frank Sinatra, as does William Peterson as J. F Kennedy and Angus Macfayden as Peter Lafford. This movie leaves behind the vague ...Like Being A Fly On The Wall - revsdd
I've given a lot of thought to this movie and, in all honesty, I can't think of anything in particular to critique about it. Revolving around the relationship between the famous "Rat Pack" of the 1960's (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter ...Could have been better.. - Cricri7
The rat pack should have been so much better than what it came out to be. You look at the magnificent actors in this movie and wnoder why it was not better than this. You look at the line up and you watch them deliver their lines and you feel bad for them. ...