Watch Stealing Sinatra

In the movie Stealing Sinatra from 2003, directed by Ron Underwood, we witness the true story of the famous ransom of singer Frank Sinatra Jr. in 1963. The movie is an interesting mix between a crime thriller and a character study, focusing on the flawed personalities of the people involved in the kidnapping and the consequences of their actions.

David Arquette stars as Barry Keenan, the mastermind behind the ransom plan. Keenan is a charismatic and ambitious young man who wants to make a name for himself in Hollywood but lacks the resources to do so. He comes up with the idea of kidnapping the son of the famous singer Frank Sinatra Sr. and demanding a large ransom for his release. Keenan recruits his friends John Irwin (played by William H. Macy) and Joe Amsler (played by James Russo) to help him with the plan.

The movie starts with a flashback to the night of the kidnapping. We see the trio of criminals breaking into the hotel room of Frank Sinatra Jr. (played by Ryan Browning) and taking him by force. The scene is intense and gripping, and it sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

After the kidnapping, the movie delves into the personal lives of the three criminals. We learn that Keenan is a troubled man with a history of failed business ventures and drug abuse. He sees the kidnapping as a way to finally achieve success and prove his worth to his father. Irwin, on the other hand, is a family man with a wife and children who reluctantly agrees to participate in the plan to help his friend. Amsler is a tough guy with a criminal past who relishes the opportunity to commit a big score.

As the movie progresses, we see the three men struggle with the consequences of their actions. The ransom demand is botched, and the police start closing in on them. Keenan becomes increasingly paranoid and erratic as the pressure mounts, while Irwin tries to keep his family together and Amsler tries to keep his criminal past hidden. The movie does a great job of showing how the kidnapping affects not only the criminals but also their loved ones.

One of the strengths of the movie is the performances of the actors. David Arquette gives a strong and nuanced portrayal of Keenan, balancing his charm with his darker tendencies. William H. Macy is excellent as the conflicted Irwin, bringing a sense of humanity to the character. James Russo is also great as the tough guy Amsler, showing his vulnerabilities as well as his strengths.

Another strength of the movie is the attention to detail in recreating the era and the events. The movie is set in the 1960s and does a good job of capturing the mood and atmosphere of the time. The production design and costumes add to the authenticity of the movie, and the soundtrack features some great period songs.

In conclusion, Stealing Sinatra is a well-made and engaging movie that tells a fascinating true story. The movie is both a crime thriller and a character study, exploring the motivations and personalities of the people involved in the kidnapping. The performances are strong, and the attention to detail in creating the era adds to the authenticity of the movie. Overall, Stealing Sinatra is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and true crime stories.

Stealing Sinatra is a 2004 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.