The Cold Light Of Day – a.k.a. In The Cold Light Of Day

Thriller / drama (Viktor Marek)

A man is arrested for the serial murders of several little girls. He is forced to confess and then kills himself. REG plays Viktor Marek, a police inspector who believes this man was innocent and quits the force because of it. He then begins his own investigation and becomes obsessed with catching the real killer, even using a little girl as bait.

It is a fairly intense film and sets up parallels between the obsession of the ex-policeman and the real serial killer he is sworn to catch. It’s great to see REG in a role like this, so intense and serious, yet very warm with the little girl, who also puts in a great performance.

Best REG line: Since when do you need evidence?

Drama / Romance (Larry Lefferts)

Set in 1870s NY society, a well-bred young man (Daniel Day-Lewis), is engaged to marry well-bred young woman (Winona Ryder). He comes to realise he doesn’t love her when he is smitten by a notorious beauty with a scandalous background and an independent spirit (Michelle Pfeiffer). REG plays Larry Lefferts, who he describes as “a lounge lizard of the Upper Order, who spends his time philandering, gossiping and trolling about”. Sounds like the REG we all know and love doesn’t it? Lovely costumes and REG is in full “twinkle” but only sprinkled throughout the film for a total of ten minutes of screen time.

Best REG line: If things go on like this, we’ll see our children fighting for introductions to swindlers houses and marrying Beuforts bastards.

Romantic crime/Drama (Himself – Cameo appearance)

Strictly Sinatra (2000)
Radio Times Rating – 2 out of 5.
Director: Peter Capaldi
Starring: Ian Hart
Certificate: uncertificated for video
Running Time: 96mins
Country of Origin: UK

You can hear the pitch: "Here’s a brilliant twist on a tired old gangster scenario! Take a loser Sinatra obsessive. Give him some acclaim after singing for the local mob boss who says he’ll make it big. Have him then sell out on life and love. Set the tale in Glasgow. Fabulous." Only this isn’t.

Despite the efforts of actor/director Peter Capaldi in his feature debut and a strong cast – Brian Cox, Alun Armstrong and the two leads Ian Hart and Kelly Macdonald – this takes us on yet another trip to turgid Lock, Stock territory.

Hart as the pseudo Sinatra is exactly what he’s supposed to be: sad, clad in shiny suits and sporting a dreadful perm. Yet there’s something inherently depressing about him as the film’s focus. He sells out his pianist mentor Armstrong and girlfriend Macdonald all too easily. And for a world that is so obviously full of hollow promises. Ironically the only great thing here is the Sinatra soundtrack. With the remainder, you just don’t buy it. LH

More details:
Title: Strictly Sinatra (2000)
Genre: Romantic Crime Drama
Alternate Title: Cocozza’s Way
Original language: English
Theatrical Distributor: UIP
UK Cinema Certificate: 15
UK Cinema Release Date: November 2001

Cast
Toni Cocozza – Ian Hart
Irene – Kelly Macdonald
Chisholm – Brian Cox
Bill – Alun Armstrong
Michelangelo – Tommy Flanagan
Connolly – Iain Cuthbertson
Dainty – Una McLean
Richard E Grant – Richard E Grant
Jimmy Tarbuck – Jimmy Tarbuck
Crew
Director – Peter Capaldi
Screenplay – Peter Capaldi
Cinematographer – Stephen Blackman

Best REG line:

The Story Of An African Farm – a.k.a. Bustin’ Boneparte

Drama (Bonaparte Blenkins)

Best REG line:

Romantic drama (Major Chevening)

REG will be appearing in an upcoming romantic drama with Anna Friel, who was also in the movie “St. Ives” with REG. He apparently plays a “repressed Scottish Prison governor”.

For an extended synopsis of the film, click here. Be warned though! It has MAJOR spoilers!

Best REG line: