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Kevin Spacey, Beyond the Sea is, unashamedly, a labour of love. His
biography of singer/composer/actor Bobby Darin – whose star shone
briefly in the late ‘50s, through the ‘60s and until his early death
at age 37 in 1973 - is a real fan’s tribute. It does not hurt that
Spacey, even though older than the man he is portraying, does a
remarkable job of recreating the Darin style – and he can sing, too!
From childhood, Darin’s life
is on a countdown because of a seriously damaged heart caused by
rheumatic fever. In fact, he is not expected to make it past 15, but his
determination and the support of a loving family – including his
mother, Pollly (Brenda Blethyn), sister, Nina (Caroline Aaron) and her
husband, Charlie (Bob Hoskins) - help him make it as a star.
In a manner that is reminiscent
of the recent Cole Porter biography, De-Lovely, Spacey (who is also the
film’s director and producer) has Darin reviewing his own life –
this time via the making of a film about himself. This allows Spacey
such artistic licence as having the older Darin have conversations with
his younger self (played by William Ullrich) and the surreal touch (also
like De-Lovely) of using occasional song and dance production numbers to
comment on the action.
In 1958, Bobby has a rock ‘n’
roll hit, “Splish Splash”, and follows it up the following year with
his classic version of “Mack the Knife” – a song that gives him a
more serious standing as an artist. Aided by manager, Steve Blauner
(John Goodman) and arranger, Dick Behrke (Peter Cincotti), he becomes
one of the biggest headliners on the nightclub circuit.
Bobby branches out and takes on
an acting movie career that really gets under way with the 1961 movie,
Come September, during which he meets teenage star, Sandra Dee (Kate
Bosworth). Despite the displeasure and protestations of Sandra’s
ambitious mother, Mary (Greta Scacchi) – who, ironically, would rather
see her daughter fall for the film’s leading actor, Rock Hudson –
Bobby and Sandra marry.
For the 1963 movie, Captain
Newman, MD, Bobby receives an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor
and his recordings continue to be hits throughout much of the decade.
But his career starts to suffer under the growing strain of his marriage
caused by his overriding ambition, his discovery of a family secret and
the ill health that inevitably catches up with him.
Despite some downs in his
personal life and a directionless period in his career in later years,
Bobby Darin made his mark on the entertainment world. More than thirty
years after his death his songs are still played regularly and there are
many fans out there listening. Like Kevin Spacey.
Rating: M
cast
Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, John Goodman, Bob Hoskins, Brenda Blethyn,
Greta Scacchi, Caroline Aaron, Peter Cincotti, William Ullrich
Director Kevin Spacey
Distributor Imagine
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