I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
When I told people I was going to the Bobby Darin biopic, I got blank looks all round. And frankly, I had to do a bit of a Google before I could sneer at them for their lack of pop culture retention. Bobby Darin is of course the creator of “Splish Splash”, who then morphed into a lounge singer, trotting out all the greats.
Beyond the Sea is not strictly speaking a Bobby Darin biopic though. It’s a Kevin Spacey vehicle, and serves as an amazing showcase for this talented actor. He’s all singing, all dancing, all balding- and the whole thing is rather surreal. He takes an odd approach to the story. We first encounter Darin making his own biopic, and meeting the child ‘actor’ playing himself. Through a series of Fame- like chorus dances, we see the sickly child’s progression to pop stardom, and his quest to become a serious entertainer.
So it’s not the world’s most novel story, but it is told in a novel fashion. And Kevin Spacey is fantastic- almost predictably so. As the writer/producer/director of the whole thing, he’s essentially a one-man band. Which is unfortunately emphasized by a dull supporting cast. Kate Bosworth is lackluster as Sandra Dee- and painfully in need of a sandwich. The rest are much of a muchness with the exception of John Goodman and Greta Scachi, who by rights should be a huge star. And Bob Hoskins puts in a good turn too, playing Darin’s confidante.
If you like Bobby Darin (and who are you people?) or love Kevin Spacey check it out. Otherwise, you may come out with the same feeling we did- it’s okay, but why this particular story? Surely there’s a wealth of b-grade actors who would benefit from this star treatment…
By Beatrix Coles.
I want to give this film more than two stars on the basis of Spacey's great work as writer/director/star/singer. However it is because of this that the film becomes a product of over indulgence. The use of the young Darrin would have worked better if not so over used also. In the end the film would have worked better if he had refrained from doing everything.
As one US reviewer wrote, it is more about Spacey's vanity than Darin. The film is badly directed and cannot make up its' mind if it wants to a drama or "Guys and Dolls". Spacey is also dishonest in that he does not show Darin as a woomaniser (as for many pop stars), or his divorce from Dee; but the acting was excellent, as was Spacey's singing. A gret tribute to a great singer. This could have been a very good film staring Spacey, if someone else had directed it.
I didn't really know Bobby Darin, but after seeing the movie you realise you actually do. 'Splish Splash' anyone? Although quite unique - there aren't too many musicals these days - it was hard for to stop thinking how much of an ego stroking exercise this was for Spacey (written, directed & starring?!). Also Kate Bosworth is weak, as she was in Superman. Enjoyable though.
an umissable movie for anyone who has heard the name Bobby Darin. The other Flicks reviews do this movie justice as do the press reviews. The short life of a cool entertainer in the time of cool, excellently acted and produced.
great movie great cast five star
Besides energetic song-and-dance numbers, Darin's exchanges with his younger self (an endearing Ullrich) are surprisingly poignant. Likewise Spacey treats the darker aspects of Darin's life with sensitivity, thankfully avoiding a descent into melodrama. It occasionally drifts off course, but for the most part Beyond The Sea is a buoyant tribute...
Ambitious and unexpected, with stylish musical numbers and a sympathetic performance from Spacey...
Weirdly moving...
Such a hopeless mess that there's no fun in tossing insults at its endless shortcomings...
Kevin Spacey, both as star and director, has created a hugely entertaining, highly empathetic portrait of a man for whom music was literally the thing that kept him alive...
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 16th Nov 2006.
Release date: November 16th 2006.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
