The chameleon-like actor Kevin Spacey is best known for playing pyschopaths (in Seven and The Usual Suspects) and capturing a creepy mid-life crisis in American Beauty--but surprisingly, playing crooner Bobby Darin, Spacey does some snappy dancing and top-notch singing. Beyond the Sea puts Darin's life through a bit of a kaleidoscope: While singing Darin's most memorable hit, "Mack the Knife," Darin suddenly stops the show, revealing that he's not at a nightclub, but in the middle of a shooting a scene about his life as a nightclub performer. Why has he stopped? Because he's just seen himself as a young boy, peering from behind a curtain. Such self-conscious narrative twists recur throughout the movie, turning Darin's fight for fame and respect into a love story between his adult and childhood selves. Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!), a hugely popular movie star in her own right, was supposedly the love of Darin's life, but she never holds his attention as does his childhood self (played by newcomer William Ullrich). It's a striking metaphor for the narcissism that drives such success-hungry entertainers. But despite (or perhaps because of) the complexity of the telling, the events never grip your emotions; though Darin's life featured hits galore and a few soap opera twists, his story lacks the seductive charm of his nighclub show. Also featuring Bob Hoskins, John Goodman, Brenda Blethyn, and Greta Scacchi. --Bret Fetzer
(7 votes)
2.
In The Era Of Cool, Bobby Darin Was The Soundtrack. One of America's greatest performers, Bobby Darin lived a rags-to-riches life. He worked his way from shady nightclubs to his dream destination, The Copacabana, where he wowed crowds with "Splish Splash," "Mack The Knife" and other hits. He was a marvel at singing, songwriting and performing - stealing the hearts of fans everywhere despite the suffering in his own heart.
(5 votes)
3.
For BOBBY DARIN (Kevin Spacey), performing was his life. It kept his heart beating. He came alive onstage, even when he was near collapse offstage. In BEYOND THE SEA, Bobby tells his own story.
At age seven, Bobby gets rheumatic fever that damages his heart forever. The doctor tells his mother POLLY (Brenda Blethyn) he'll be lucky to live to the age of fifteen. Polly and Bobby's older sister NINA (Caroline Aaron) take care of him, along with Nina's husband CHARLIE (Bob Hoskins).
Modern medicine and determination keep him alive, his heart's still ticking, and by 20, with the help of his best friend turned manager Steve Blauner (John Goodman) and musical director Dick Behrke (Peter Cincotti) he's working his way up, from tacky clubs to performing in Vegas, finally scoring a hit with 'Splish Splash'. But Bobby wants more. As he tells Life Magazine, he wants to be a legend by 25. MACK THE KNIFE makes him the star he's dreamed of becoming but for him this is only the beginning.
The hits keep coming and his life keeps evolving, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in CAPTAIN NEWMAN MD. Never satisfied with success, Bobby continues to reinvent himself and moves from rock and roll into pop, gospel, country & western and folk music. By the end of his brief 14-year career Bobby Darin he's had more hits in more genres of music than any recording artist except Elvis Presley and Ray Charles.
When he kicks off his acting career, he meets movie star SANDRA DEE (Kate Bosworth) while filming COME SEPTEMBER in Italy. He falls for her, but has to jump through hoops to get around MARY (Greta Scacchi), Sandy's possessive and overbearing mother. Despite her protests Bobby and Sandy get married and seem like the perfect Hollywood fairytale couple. But the conflict of her acting career and his touring puts a strain on the relationship. His dogged pursuit of fame and fortune isolates him from the very people who love him and believe in him. His master plan for 'Bobby Darin the star' doesn't leave much room for 'Bobby Darin the man'.
(5 votes)
4.
For BOBBY DARIN (Kevin Spacey), performing was his life. It kept his heart beating. He came alive onstage, even when he was near collapse offstage. In BEYOND THE SEA, Bobby tells us his own story, in his last great performance.
With a heart damaged by rheumatic fever, Walden Robert Cassotto – Little BOBBY (William Ullrich) – isn’t supposed to live to see age 15. But when his mother POLLY (Brenda Blethyn) shows him the happiness that comes with music, Bobby finds the inspiration he needs to stay alive. Making music opens a world beyond sickness, where prodigious talent, drive and imagination can overcome a faulty heart. With the help and support of his devoted family - Polly, his older sister NINA (Caroline Aaron) and Nina’s husband CHARLIE (Bob Hoskins) - Bobby will become a star.
And so he does. Working with his best friend and manager, STEVE BLAUNER (John Goodman), Bobby charts his own stubbornly eclectic musical path, writing original songs and performing in a range of genres. Turning his sights beyond music, Bobby launches a movie career and marries America’s favorite young star, SANDRA DEE (Kate Bosworth). But Bobby’s relentless professional ambition has begun to poison his private life, and the late 1960s find him isolated, confused and directionless. In the end, with his childhood illness finally catching up with him, Bobby must look to his friends, family and extraordinary talent to quell his demons and accept who he is and what his life has meant.
(5 votes)
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