Beyond the Sea

For those who cannot "suspend disbelief" in order to enjoy a musical, this movie, and my review, are not for you. For the rest of us, "Beyond the Sea" is a delight.

I read critics who said Kevin Spacey is too old to pull off a 20-something Bobby Darin. Wrong! Kevin Spacey's acting captures the essence of BD; after the first ten minutes of the movie it seemed that Kevin Spacey WAS Bobby Darin irrespective of age. I also read critics who said Spacey's dancing was stiff and awkward. Wrong! The production numbers were fabulous. His singing, acting, dancing were awesome, and it's a performance that should not be short-changed in this year's awards' season (although I fear it might be overlooked).

Kate Blodgett, too, did a great job of portraying Sandra Dee (but I wish they had kept her hairstyles more true to Sandra Dee of the 1960's).

My only disappointment is that so many important details about Bobby Darin's life were quickly glossed over or totally omitted. For example, there was no mention of his early years in the Pocono's; his unfulfilled romance with Connie Francis; his friendship with Dick Clark; his songwriting collaboration with Don Kirshner; and his subsequent marriage after divorcing Sandra Dee.

Nevertheless, I loved "Beyond the Sea" and plan to see it again this week. I'm afraid it won't still be in the theaters next week. It almost appears as though some of Hollywood and the newsprint critics have dissed it with almost a jealousy toward Kevin Spacey's Herculean efforts to bring this to the screen, not to mention his compelling performance.

I don't know if it will attract a younger viewing audience; but, if you're a Baby Boomer, this is a must-see.

This film is like two films merged together. One is a very superficial and often inaccurate biopic of the life of Bobby Darin. Major omissions and chronological errors abound and the Biography Channel's show on Darin's life is far better than this film. It just didn't seem like Bobby Darin's life but a caricature of it. The other film is a wonderful showcase of Kevin Spacey's many talents. Instead of just acting, he did a wonderful job of crooning as well as dancing--often in segments that were surrealistic music videos as opposed to traditional story telling. While glitzy and silly, this aspect of the film I really liked. Because of this film's unusual style and manner, it was if the film was more a free form musical picture "inspired by the life of Bobby Darin". It also seemed like it was more a showcase for Spacey than a homage to Darin.

So apart from the fact that the film isn't good historically speaking, it is wonderful from a purely aesthetic point of view. The music is well sung, bouncy and ranks high on the "cool factor". Provided your expectations are low regarding Darin's life story, you'll enjoy yourself--you can't help it.

Overall, I give it a 7 as it is very entertaining (despite its very odd style). Some reviewers gave this film a 1 or a 10 and both extremes seem way out of line. Ones make no sense at all because the film is well made, pretty and enjoyable. The tens make no sense either because the script is a mess and is abounding with factual errors. For more on these errors, check out the trivia section on IMDb or read a biography on Darin's life. I really doubt if the many writers who contributed to this film even bothered finding such a biography but just read through a list of bullet points.

"Beyond the Sea" is Kevin Spacey's musical biography of Bobby Darin's life. Spacey stars, writes and directs. Most of the major players in the movie are still living and support the project.

Bobby Darin's story is a compelling one. He was born into difficult circumstances, suffered from poor health all of his life, was extraordinarily talented, and he died young.

"Beyond the Sea" is a beautifully layered film. Kevin Spacey uses some very interesting "point of view" methods to tell his story and he does so without overwhelming the viewer. He pays tribute to the big musicals without being sugary. He avoids cliché and tells Darin's story without being trite.

Bobby Darin's music is dynamic and diverse. He had a gift for song and delighted in sharing it with the world. Kevin Spacey genuinely admires Darin's talent and delights in sharing his own gifts with the world in tribute to Darin.

Kevin Spacey's acting ability is perfectly showcased here. His talent as a director is remarkable. His storytelling is strong and moving without being pushy or maudlin. He is honest in his depiction of Darin as both arrogant and sympathetic. Spacey's singing is surprisingly good. He does not insist he is Bobby Darin, he merely asks us to accept his portrayal of a great vocalist as accurate. Spacey manages to reveal the enormity of his own talent without being vain.

"Beyond the Sea" draws attention to Darin's rich and varied legacy. He was a prolific songwriter, a master showman (the only performer Sammy Davis Jr. would not follow), a successful popular recording artist and an accomplished actor. "Beyond the Sea" reveals the enormity of Spacey's talent and leaves him with a legacy that is as impressive as Darin's.

I was born over a decade after Bobby Darin died, so I know about him only through songs. Now that I've watched "Beyond the Sea", I feel almost like I know him personally. Kevin Spacey, who also directs, plays the famous singer whose real name was Walden Robert Cassotto. Showing Darin's career, his struggles with rheumatic fever, and his tempestuous marriage to Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth), the movie is like any biopic, but certainly worth seeing. It was really something seeing Darin doing folk music after having been a teen idol. Either way, Bobby Darin was quite a guy. I'm going to have to get my hands on a CD compilation of his songs.

Kevin Spacey has directed one movie prior to his direction of Beyond the Sea (Albino Aligator) and this one is worth a viewing.

Beyond the Sea starring Kevin Spacey as the legendary vocalist Bobby Darin is a well done biopic of the singers life. His rise to stardom from life in the Bronx to his new life on the stage. Along with him are his brother in-law Charlie played by Bob Hoskins, his wife and Darin's sister Nina played by Caroline Aaron, wife Sandra Dee performed by Kate Bosworth, and John Goodman as manager "Boom Boom" Steve Blauner.

Darin struggles with a serious ailment since his childhood and continues to fight his heart problem throughout his singing career. This motivates him to live longer and pursue happiness, like Sandra Dee. No matter what the challenge, Bobby is ready to tackle it. He broke out onto the billboards with "Splish, Splash". He wanted to go onto better things...like the Copacabana.Bobby would star in 10 movies, an Oscar nomination, seven Top-10 songs, and a family all in a span of 10 years. He had it all.

Although some parts of the movie are a little strange like some of the random dance sequences, it it tied nicely together with the making of a movie and how he interacts with the memory of his childhood.

What Spacey has given us is an enjoyable film that tells a story of a man once considered to be the greatest singer in the world. Spacey's passion for Darin goes way back to his childhood when he would listen to his parents records (see making of the movie on DVD). Spacey sings every song in the picture, dances every step, directs every scene, and even writes the script with Lewis Colick (Ladder 49, October Sky). He wanted this movie to be made to honor a great entertainer and a great person.

Spacey's hard work and determination has paid off for the whole world to see. Thanks for sharing the life of an icon.