"The Rat Pack" on HBO

The principle stars of the HBO Rat Pack film are Ray Liotta (left), Joe Mantegna (2nd from left), and Don Cheadle (4th from left) . (HBO photo)

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

The central point of the picture surrounds Sinatra’s and the “Rat Pack’s” relationship and involvement with former United States President John F. Kennedy. The movie depicts that the relationship between Sammy Davis and May Britt almost prevented Kennedy from being elected. Kennedy’s father Joe, made it clear that he didn’t want Sinatra to be Davis’ best man for fear the American public would be outraged and turn against his son. It was implied that the public would not vote for the friend of a black man.

July, 1998

HBO'S TAKE ON THE LEADERS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT PACK

“The Rat Pack” is a story about entertainers Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. These famed show business personalities worked together and were inseparable as friends gaining the name of “The Rat Pack.” Sinatra was the groups’ leader. The focus of the picture is from his point of view.

RAY LIOTTA (“Copeland,” “Good Fellas”) stars as Sinatra, JOE MANTEGNA (“The Godfather Part III,” “House of Games”) portrays Dean Martin, DON CHEADLE (“Bulworth,” “Out of Sight”) is Sammy Davis Jr., ANGUS MacFADYEN {“Braveheart,” “The Cradle Will Rock”) as Peter Lawford and BOBBY SLAYTON is Joey Bishop.

The central point of the picture surrounds Sinatra’s and the “Rat Pack’s” relationship and involvement with former United States President John F. Kennedy.

Sinatra and the Rat Pack were said to have been instrumental in Kennedy’s winning the presidential election. It was Sinatra’s friendship with mobster Mo Mo Giancana that helped swing the election in Kennedy’s favor....Giancana had the ability to obtain votes.

The movie depicts that the relationship between Davis and May Britt almost prevented Kennedy from being elected. Kennedy’s father Joe, made it clear that he didn’t want Sinatra to be Davis’ best man for fear the American public would be outraged and turn against his son. It was implied that the public would not vote for the friend of a black man.

The film was as not as engrossing as it could have been. With the lives that the real Rat Pack led, a more poignant film could have been made. The story material that the group generated could have produced a more powerful script. It’s not that it’s a bad movie, it’s simply not Herculean effort.

The casting was weak. Director Rob Cohen (“Daylight,” “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story”) said from the outset of shooting the film that it would not be a production containing imitations of people, music and events. He achieved his goal and to me… that was the problem.

Liotta wasn’t believable as Sinatra. He’s a good actor but his speaking voice and accent was much different than Sinatra’s. It was annoying. Since he had such a principle part he either should have worked on sounding more like Sinatra or he was miss-cast.

It took a while to get past the voice and get immersed in the film. Liotta’s acting is fine... his voice isn’t. Liotta’s talent is more suited for the role that he played in “The Good Fellas.”

Mantegna’s performance was strong and believable. His appearance and voice were probably as close as you could get from any actor. He also effectively emulated Martin’s mannerisms.

Mantegna said that he never met Martin. What Mantegna did do was get inside of Martin’s character. The actor said that while he was growing up in Chicago, Martin was one of his role models.

Early on in his entertainment career Mantegna spent five years during the 1960’s as a singer in a night club band. It’s only fitting that his background would compliment his feelings regarding the scenes that he enjoyed doing the most in the Rat Pack film.

The Rat Pack entertaining on stage were Joe Mantegna's favorite acting scenes' in the film - (HBO photo)

“Certainly one of my favorites was being able to recreate some of the stuff they did at the Sands Hotel [ Las Vegas, Nevada, USA]…..Some of the night club stuff.

We [the cast ] were all able to work together, interact together and actually do what they did best which was to perform. Those moments that you see in the film… when we’re performing together….that was a real highlight.”

Cheadle’s performance of Davis is acceptable. He didn’t get into Davis’ character but he got the gist of it.

Cheadle was in the movie’s best scene when Davis was confronted by his then girlfriend May Britt (Megan Dodds). Britt was annoyed that Davis accepted being laughed at by the Rat Pack who were making him the butt of their jokes. He told her that they were only having fun with him. She felt it was the other way around….they were making fun OF him.

In real life it was controversial why Britt was attracted to Davis. What was the chemistry that brought them together?

In the film Britt told Davis that she didn’t know why she was attracted to him. He was short, not so good looking and... Davis then interrupted… and said.. that he was black. She curtly responded that she didn’t see color.

Another strong scene in the film stars Debrah Kara Unger who gave a strong performance as Ava Gardner. Gardner was known to be the love of Sinatra’s life.

While the couple was making love Sinatra stopped to answer a phone call on a special line from one of the mob. Gardner was enraged…got out of bed and left.

The movie is worth watching. If you’re not that familiar with the members of “The Rat Pack” the dissimilarity of the actors voices shouldn’t annoy you. It’s difficult to cast a film with skillful, cooperative and manageable talent. Obtaining sound and a look alike [even through make-up] is a tremendous challenge.

The upside is the film does have good music. Who can argue with that? On a scale of 5 “The Rat Pack” is a 3.

The “Rat Pack” airs in Asia on HBO. Check you local listings for the time.

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