Beyond The Sea Movie Review:


“Memories are like moonbeams. We do with them what we want.” If Beyond the Sea is a biopic, it is only accurate if looked at through this quote which appears three times in the film. The filmmakers want you to know in all certainty that this is not a factual film, but more or less a fantasy in which tribute is paid to Booby Darin. Kevin Spacey directs, stars, and sings and dances as well, and this may give cause for many to say Beyond the
Sea is more of a tribute to him than Bobby Darin, but regardless it remains one of the most fantastic films I have seen this year.

I have often had discussion's about musicals and whether or not they are dead and gone. Although every time this conversation is brought up it is
inevitable that someone will reference Chicago or Moulin Rouge as modern musicals, I refuse to put films such as these, in which the camera angles
are the choreography, in the same category as any Rogers and Astaire musical. At one time it was the talent that was showcased but these days any
musical that succeeds is not thanks to talent but to being able to keep the audiences attention with as much happening as possible. Not to say that
these films aren’t worthy of attention, but they belong in an entirely different class. Returning to the question at hand though, I was always one
to say that musicals, as we once knew them, were dead. After watching Beyond the Sea I know that whether or not musicals are dead relies entirely upon how audiences react to this traditional song and dance musical within the dramatic telling of Bobby Darin’s life.

Bobby Darin was said to be egotistical and bossy, which we see in the opening scene of the film, but soon that fades away and we see the magic
behind the versatile singer’s life. The film seems to split its time in half, spending it equally on his family life and his career. Although it is interesting to see his reaction to nearly winning an Oscar, or appearing on American Bandstand, the true beauty in the film is in his relationship with his wife Sandra Dee, played by Kate Bosworth. It seems that some liberties were taken with their relationship, perhaps painting it in a better light than was actually existent, but it fits with the reasoning of the film. Some of the most tender scenes in the film are between the married celebrities who can’t even fight decently without there son laughing at them.

Along with being a story told with music and dance numbers, Beyond the Sea also has a few other quirks that some may enjoy and others may find
irritating. The whole film is actually a series of memories within Bobby Darin’s head as he is forced to examine them by the actor playing him as a child on a movie set, who seems to somehow actually be the young Bobby. If that sounds confusing it may remain confusing for a long time because it is never really explained in the film but is somewhat similar to Jessica Lange’s angelic character in Bob Fosse’s biopic, All That Jazz.

There is a gap in the middle of the film where the musical numbers stop. It is during a darker period of Bobby’s life, and although it may have been
necessary to stop the magic temporarily, I felt myself longing for more of the fantasy to come along before the film turned into a straightforward
biopic. The reason I longed for it so much is mostly due to the wonderful job the film did at constructing song and dance sequences reminiscent of a
great many classic musicals. Kevin Spacey, who also directed, did a fantastic job within these sequences, often reminding me of Gene Kelly, if
only because of the make-up he was wearing under his eyes to make him look younger.

For anyone who loves the music of Bobby Darin, loves old musicals, or loves a sweet romance, I would recommend Beyond the Sea as highly as I possibly could. Yet I would also have to discourage anyone who likes a straightforward and historical film from going as well. This film took well
over twenty years to come to the screen and is not one that everyone will enjoy. Yet for those who can enjoy it: “Memories are like moonbeams. We do
with them what we want.”

Ryan Izay

After been told he would not reach his sixteenth birthday because his heart had been damaged when he suffered from severe rheumatic fever, Walden Robert Cassotto (Ullrich) was encouraged by his mother Polly (Blethyn) to pursue his love of music. In 1958, at the age of twenty-two, he recorded his first hit record "Splish, Splash". It was a smash hit and launched his career under his new stage name, Bobby Darin (Spacey). Superstardom followed and he moved into movies and met his wife, screen starlet Sandra Dee (Bosworth). He was living his dreams but he always knew he was living on borrowed time.

Kevin Spacey directs himself in his dream project but can the accomplished actor bring something new to the biopic? Well he really tries.

Taking a rather unique approach by making out that Darin is making a biopic about his own life, with the older Darin talking to the boy who has just found out that he is sick. The two lead us through the most important moments of Darin's life. We see him learning to play every big band instrument, leaving the Bronx to start his career, having his first hit record and starring in a movie. We also see him meeting the love of his life, Sandra Dee, the ups and downs of their marriage and finally his deterioration due to his illness catching up with him. Spacey tries to cover all aspects of Bobby Darin's life but the film doesn't let us see enough.

There is no denying that Bobby Darin's story in an interesting one but Spacey seems to gloss over many things. He introduces storylines and plot points but never gives them enough screen time to see them through. We see Darin's brush with politics and his break down after some devastating news. We also witness Sandra Dee turning to drink as her marriage becomes stretched to breaking point due to Bobby's excessive touring. The problem is that none of these events are given enough screen time to have a real impact and it leaves you just wanting to know more.

It is Kevin Spacey's performance that really draws you into the movie however. Even though some might consider him too old to play Darin but as soon as he sings he becomes the entertainer and all those apprehensive feelings are quickly forgotten. This is a stella performance from an actor at the top of his game. His passion for the project oozes out of the screen to produces a performance that lights up the screen. He sings all of Darin's hits perfectly, like his is almost channelling the performer's spirit on stage.

Spacey has also surrounded himself by a good supporting cast. Kate Bosworth continues to show that she is not just a pretty face but has the talent to match. He becomes the screen starlet of the 60s Sandra Dee, making easy to see how Darin instantly fell for her. Caroline Aaron is extremely good as Bobby's sister Nina and Brenda Blethyn is also good as his mother Polly. William Ullrich is another child actor with talent beyond his years. There are also good but small roles for Bob Hoskins as Charlie Cassotto Maffia and John Goodman as Darin's manager Steve Blauner.

'Beyond the Sea' is a biopic that doesn't cover enough facts to allow you to get to know the character. We needed to know more about the influences behind his songs and more of his personal life. Kevin Spacey delivers both an exceptional performance as the lead and visual and auditory feast as a director to bring you a film that is still very entertaining. While you will learn more about the exceptional entertainer than you probably knew before, you will still be left thinking if there is more to Bobby Darin that the film is letting you know.

Jamie Kelwick

 

Site Contents Copyright© The Z Review, unless used with permission.This site has no intention to infringe on the rights of the film owners of Beyond The Sea and intellectual copyright holders of the movies mentioned herein & hold copyright over the movie, characters, merchandise & storyline.