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For more movie summaries, see Kam's Kapsules.
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Beyond the Sea: Kevin Spacey Portrays Bobby Darin in Vanity Biopic
Review by Kam Williams
Unfortunately, Beyond the Sea is overshadowed by the earlier release of Ray – the biography of Ray Charles. Otherwise, two-time Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey (American Beauty and The Usual Suspects), might have been showered with accolades for having written, directed, acted, danced, and sang in this bittersweet biopic.
Beyond the Sea recounts a life story worth telling. Spacey, as Bobby Darin, offsets his brash stage presence with more vulnerable moments, thereby doing justice to the pop singer's pubic and private personae.
Beyond the Sea is an introspective film that showcases the glitz of the ornate, choreographed production numbers of the sixties and also shows intimate glimpses into the mental state of a man who knew he was doomed to die young. Walden Robert Cassoatto (1936-1973) was a sickly child from the Bronx whose heart was damaged from rheumatic fever when he was seven-years-old. Nonetheless, he was determined to become a legend like his childhood hero, Frank Sinatra.
Changing his name to Bobby Darin, Cassoatto embarked on a musical career, and won Grammys and numerous gold records for a string of hits, most notably Mack the Knife and Beyond the Sea. Living his brief life to the fullest, he also married Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth), a celebrated 16-year-old actress who was eight years younger than him. The talented Kate Bosworth interacts well with Kevin Spacey depite their age difference.
The performances of Oscar-nominees Brenda Blethyn (Secrets & Lies and Little Voice) as Bobby's mother, Polly; and Bob Hoskins (Mona Lisa), as her brother-in-law, enhance the movie. The supporting cast is rounded out by John Goodman, as Darin's best friend and manager, and Greta Scaachi, as Sandra's mother.
However, Beyond the Sea is a Kevin Spacey showcase. The degree to which Beyond the Sea appeals to you depends upon whether or not you are a Spacey fan. We all knew Kevin Spacey could act, and now we know that he can sing too!
Excellent (3 and 1/2 stars). Rated PG-13 for profanity and some sensuality. Running time: 121 minutes. Distributor: Lions Gate Films.
end of review.
For more movie summaries, see Kam's Kapsules.