Around five years ago, a documentary was produced to be a tell-all exploit of the famed performer Frank Sinatra. Thanks to Netflix, that documentary is now available for stream. Question is, should it be given the time? Frank Sinatra may otherwise be insignificant to the youth of today, going even as far to say that many of today’s youth don’t even know who he is. Sad as a statement like that may be, it’s nonetheless contended to be true. Still, Sinatra was a global icon, powerhouse musician, and even an award winning film star. So for the older generation reading this, and for those youthful old souls out there, this one’s for you.
Frank Sinatra: All or Nothing At All is told in two parts and offers a multitude of unseen footage and interviews from the star’s career.
Frank Sinatra: All or Nothing At All is told in two parts and offers a multitude of unseen footage and interviews from the star’s career. Everything is covered from start to finish as the doc starts from the time of his birth, all the way to his retirement. Much of what’s told is likely already known by fans of that generation, even though his generation is unfortunately on the latter end. Though there is a great deal that was also likely undiscussed in terms of his relationships, troubles, mental health, and personal life. Frank Sinatra, as told by the doc, seemed to have something of a love-hate relationship with the press. This should come as little surprise as when one’s star is that bright, it can be quite difficult to hide. Though like everyone else Frank had a personal life, he often times wasn’t shy in the press depending on the topic of discussion and in the documentary his older interviews epitomize that notion.
Some interesting takeaways from his story are undoubtedly his relationships with women. Nancy Sinatra, even after his alleged infidelities, always seemed to be a friend and presence in his life even after their divorce, and the audience will have the chance to hear her side of the story regarding their time together and thereafter. Ava Gardner is depicted as the one who got away from Sinatra, and many close to the star discuss in the documentary his attitude towards her never wavered even after their split. His career is documented in times of highs and lows, his vocal injuries that stalled his career, his ups and downs, his breaks and comebacks, and his overall triumphs. Viewers also get the chance to see just how generous the musician was with his earnings, how charitable he was, and perhaps most importantly, how much advocate he was for equal rights for all. Sinatra is said in the doc to have been incredibly against segregation and was a major ally for marginalized groups, namely Jews and the black community back though. Yes, for all his faults and there were many, Sinatra was a man who seemed more good than bad in a time where music and movie stardom were still a fairly new concept.
One of the more fascinating things about how Frank Sinatra: All or Nothing At All is narrated is in how they use his music to overlay certain points of his life, and mainly using that of his retirement concert in LA in 1971 as something of a chronological tool to move his story forward. Viewers can expect this and more when they indulge themselves in hearing the story of one of the more polarizing figures to ever make it in the music business. Many a tale is told about his movie career which may be a surprise for some, as most that know him today know him mainly from his music. Whatever has been said in conversation, or hasn’t, this two part special is worth the time to clear the air on ‘Old Blue Eyes’.
