Beyond the Sea (2004)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Kevin Spacey

Writers (WGA):

Kevin Spacey (written by) and
Lewis Colick (written by)

Release Date:

29 December 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music | Musical

Tagline:

BOBBY DARIN . . . in the era of cool he was the soundtrack.

Plot:

A swooning study of "Mack the Knife" singer Bobby Darin (Spacey) specifically, and his relationship with his wife Sandra Dee (Bosworth).

Plot Keywords:

Career | Love | Singer | Marriage | Funeral

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Kevin Spacey	...	Bobby Darin
Kate Bosworth	...	Sandra Dee
John Goodman	...	Steve Blauner
Bob Hoskins	...	Charlie Cassotto Maffia
Brenda Blethyn	...	Polly Cassotto
Greta Scacchi	...	Mary Duvan
Caroline Aaron	...	Nina Cassotto Maffia
Peter Cincotti	...	Dick Behrke
William Ullrich	...	Little Bobby
Michael Byrne	...	Dr. Andretti
Matt Rippy	...	David Gershenson
Gary Whelan	...	Jules Podell
Jake Broder	...	1st Assistant Director
Tayfun Bademsoy	...	Ahmet Ertegun
Tomas Spencer	...	Delivery Guy

Also Known As:

Beyond the Sea - Musik war sein Leben (Germany)
Bobby Darin Biopic (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some strong language and a scene of sensuality.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA | Germany | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-3 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 (DVD rating) | South Korea:12 | New Zealand:M | South Africa:10L | USA:TV-14 (cable rating) | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | Australia:M | Germany:o.Al. | UK:12A | Singapore:PG | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41250) | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company:

Lions Gate Films

Trivia:

When the film was in being planned by Paramount, executives thought that 'Kevin Spacey (I)' was too old to portray Bobby Darin, who died at 37, and wanted Leonardo DiCaprio instead.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The film omits several key people (including Darin's second wife), and some key events (including how he learned the truth about his background) did not take place as shown.

Quotes:

Bobby Darin: Memories are like moonbeams, we do with them what we will.

Movie Connections:

References Come September (1961)

Soundtrack:

Simple Song of Freedom

Awesome

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.