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Great music but miscast
by S (movies profile)
Jun 27, 2007
60
of
91 people found this review helpful
Beyond the Sea is the story of Bobby Darin, portrayed by Kevin Spacey, who also receives directing, writing, and producing credit.
As the film unfolds, we learn about Darin through a plot device which pits Spacey as Darin in his later days, interacting with his younger self (played by William Ullrich). It's at times a little annoying, and I would have preferred a more straight forward approach, but this is just a minor quip. For the most part, it comes off like a movie version of a broadway play. There's lavish production numbers, featuring dancing, and of course musical numbers with many of Darin's popular tunes.
Darin's life is actually quite amazing. Diagnosed with rheumatic fever as a child, he's not expected to live beyond 15. His family introduces him to music, which fuels ambitions to be greater than Frank sinatra and some day play the Copacabana, the hottest club of the day.
On his way, he quickly makes a novelty song "Splish Splash" and combined with "Dream Lover" turns him into a teen idol. Secretly he's losing his hair, and wears a toupee to appear younger.
He decides to change direction, and make a record of standards, with a big band sound. This leads to hits "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea." Darin is at the top of his game. He starts to make movies, and is introduced to his future wife Sandra Dee (played by Kate Bosworth).
For the most part this movie isn't about Sandra Dee. We see her do her best to avoid Darin in the beginning, then later follow him around, only to disappear by the end.
Bosworth does practically nothing with her role. At times shes like a deer caught in headlights. What's worse, Spacey is too old as Darin, so the scenes between him and Bosworth come across as a dirty old man who looks 50 seducing a woman in her 20s. It's distracting. Had this film been made ten or fifteen years earlier with Spacey is might have worked a lot better.
It's clealy a labor of love for Spacey though. His acting is well done. And he's quite capable in the production numbers. And Darin's later life is handled amazingly well, just when you think it may end up on a depressing note, it turns around, and becomes surprisingly upbeat.
The age hurdle and older and younger Darin reminiscing about his life are what ultimately hurt the film. I admire Spacey for taking on the role, even if he was miscast along with Bosworth. Go for the music if you enjoy the songs, but don't expect much else. |
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