OK, I just saw BEYOND THE SEA.

[NightTrain]

No doubt about it, this is Kevin Spacey's film. Not only does he play Bobby Darin, Spacey also directs, co-wrote the screenplay, was one of the executive producers, and performed all the music himself! Spacey was either going to get all the praise if BEYOND THE SEA was good, or all the blame if it was a turkey.

Personally, I give Spacey all the praise.

Be forewarned: this is *not* a biopic of Bobby Darin. It is more of a tribute to the man and his art. The first half (or so) of BEYOND THE SEA is filled with fantasy segments of the characters singing and dancing in places like the streets of the Bronx (where Darin grew up in the 1940s) and someplace in Italy (where Darin made his first film and met his future wife, Sandra Dee).

The film also has frequent conversations between Bobby Darin as a child (newcomer William Ullrich) and his grown-up counterpart. I wish that Spacey had not chosen this rather odd plot device as it further detracts from the film's realism. Yes, those conversations provided necessary exposition, but couldn't Spacey have come up with a better way to convey it?

Whatever the case, BEYOND THE SEA's positives far outweigh its negatives. From his charismatic performance, it is quite obvious that Kevin Spacey had the time of his life portraying his idol. And there is excellent support from Kate Bosworth (as Sandra Dee), Brenda Blethyn (as Darin's mother), John Goodman (as his manager), Caroline Aaron (as his sister), Bob Hoskins (as his brother-in-law), Greta Sacchi (as Sandra Dee's mother), and William Ullrich (mentioned above).

Of particular interest to me was that Spacey chose to short-shrift Bobby Darin's rise to fame in the late 1950s to concentrate more on his life in the '60s. BEYOND THE SEA focuses heavily on Darin's nightclub performances, his film career, and his late-1960s conversion to hippiedom--wherein he shortened his name to Bob Darin, stopped wearing his toupee, grew facial hair and sideburns, supported Robert Kennedy for president, openly opposed the war in Vietnam, and wrote the protest number, "Simple Song of Freedom." Also during that time, Darin learned a shocking family secret, which the film portrays with great compassion.

In summary: if you like Bobby Darin, I see no reason why you wouldn't like BEYOND THE SEA. It may not be the best film ever made about a musical figure, but it's far from the worst!

[Left Is Write]

1. I do like Bobby Darin and I do like Kevin Spacey, so...

I'll take your word, suspend my disbelief, and see the movie.

[fluffernutter]

2. thanks for this review, i want to see it!

[molly]

3. I believe Kevin Spacey promised his mother this movie

before she died. He had talked about it for years - can't wait - thanks for the review!

[graywarrior]

4. I can't get past anyone being Bobby Darin

He was just too cool to imitate.

[tuvor]

5. Good to know. Hope it's playing in my little town.

Bobby Darin was just WAY too cool. And although I'd've preferred to see it ten years ago, Kevin Spacey always seemed perfect for the role, especially after I saw him sing some BD for Barbara Walters.

Thanks, NightTrain!

[KoKo]

6. Does it rise to the heights of the NBC "The Temptations" Classic or is

it more along the lines of the "Ray" retrospective that I thought was okay...but not great like the "Temptations" retrospective was.

:shrug: IOW does it portray the times and the music believably or is it more a psychic thing about "the MAN and HIS MUSIC" leaving OUT the true flavor of the times and most of the good music just to make a poltical statement or be a psychodrama (which I thought "Ray" was and was sort of disappointed..)

[NightTrain]

8. Well, I'm too young to remember the '50s and '60s...

...so it's hard for me to answer your question about whether or not the film accurately portrays those decades.

As for comparing it to THE TEMPTATIONS or RAY, that's really unfair. They're three entirely different films about three entirely different musical acts. Personally, though, I think RAY is the best music biopic ever made (which you obviously don't), so perhaps I'm not the best person for you to be asking these questions! :shrug:

[Kahuna]

17. Sound more like, "Jo Jo Dancer...." to me..

Done in that type of format where it's fact based with fantasy.

[MuseRider]

7. Thanks

I really like Kevin Spacey and I hope it does well. This is one I may go see. I was never a real Bobby Darin fan but I didn't dislike him either. I just hope it is well received because it was a project that obviously meant a lot to Spacey and I like that he was able to get it put together if for no other reason than that.

[Norbert]

9. Thanks a bunch

I planned to see it all along. It has a limited release around Cincinnati; two screens out of 200+.

Our movie "critic" summed up his review by saying "Who cares about Bobby Darin in 2005?" I, FOR ONE, DO DAMMIT.

[NightTrain]

11. "Who cares about Bobby Darin in 2005?"

Did that critic also ask, "Who cares about Oskar Schindler in 1993?" Asshole.

[Left Is Write]

13. That kind of stuff burns me up.

Who cares? A lot of us do, that's who. I care a lot more about Bobby Darin than some of the performers of today.

[lib_1138]

14. That doesn't make any sense

Who cares about Alexander in 2005? OK, bad example.

Fact is interesting people in history make for great entertainment if done well.

I appreciate the review -- I always thought Darrin was a great crooner -- one of the last.

[Miami Liberal]

10. Thanks, I plan on seeing this

Darin and Spacey do look very much alike, imho.

[HEAVYHEART]

12. Cool

Thanks for the info. I'll have to check this out!

[lib_1138]

15. I like your picture

Where is that -- it looks very serene.

[Kahuna]

16. I get to see my two favorite film stars in new movies this month..

Kevin Spacey and Leonardo DiCaprio!!! Woo hoo! :bounce:

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

18. I remember the "Bob Darin" TV appearances.

It made it kind of sad when he put the toupe back on and returned to being "Bobby Darin," kind of like when Rick Nelson sang "if memories were all I sang, I'd rather drive a truck" until he made peace with "Ricky Nelson" and spent the last few years of his life doing oldies shows with Fats Domino, singing memories.

:toast:

[KoKo]

19. Ouch....that's sad....but it was true...

:-(

[Bertha Venation]

20. Thanks, NT. This mitigates the WaPo's panning of it.

I was going to see it regardless of what the critics said. I'll go see a Kevin Spacey film if it's two hours of him talking about whatever occurs to him.

[mcscajun]

21. Saw it yesterday as well...finally!

I'd been looking forward to this for quite some time, and it does NOT disappoint.

Any fan of Kevin Spacey OR Bobby Darin will want to see this one. There are some moments...rare, but there...when he really does look like Bobby, but that's not the point. His moves and mannerisms evoke Bobby, and he does a fantastic job singing all the music.

It's a completely different 'take' from Jamie Foxx's portrayal in Ray...where he did a great job playing the piano (which was what Ray Charles was really concerned about in casting the role) and BEING Ray, but did none of the singing. The producers/director were wise in letting Ray's music shine through in that one.

Yes, the jumping from reality to fantasy and the little kid were a little jarring; I could have done without 'em, quite frankly. But overall...a very enjoyable film...and a fantastic effort by Spacey.

Go see it and the critics be damned.