Beyond the Sea **** (2004, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Greta Scacchi) Classic Movie Review 1329

Writer-director Kevin Spacey’s 2004 movie is his second as director, following 1996’s Albino Alligator.

They couldn’t be more different films. That one was a set-bound, ensemble thriller with no appearance by the star. This one is a glossy musical biopic, a showy star showcase, with that firecracker actor Spacey as the star in question. And he’s a sensation – pulling off a bravura acting-singing-dancing turn, as Bobby Darin, Fifties teen idol, Sixties crooner and Vietnam War protest singer.

Darin rises from his lower class Italian-American roots to become one of the most popular rock ‘n roll and big band performers of all time, but dies at 37 from blood poisoning after surgery to repair his mechanical heart valve.

Using his own sweet singing voice in an uncanny imitation of Darin for the musical numbers, Spacey trills Splish Splash, Mack the Knife and Beyond the Sea in high style. Excellent lookalike Kate Bosworth strikes sparks as Darin’s unhappy movie star actress wife Sandra Dee, while Greta Scacchi has a fine old as her bitchy mother.

Gleefully blending showbiz gossip, camp value, musical numbers, personal drama and social comment, this is a total treat, stirred up to near perfection by Spacey as director and screenwriter in what’s clearly a labour of love.

So what if he’s a bit too old for the part? He convinces and entertains. And that’s what matters. The end is very touching, as after his death Darin meets his younger self and the two duet on ‘As Long As I’m Singing’.

Bob Hoskins plays Charlie Cassotto Maffia, a father figure who considers Darin to be his son, Brenda Blethyn plays Polly Cassotto, Darin’s maternal grandmother who teaches him music, and John Goodman plays Stephen Blauner, Bobby’s manager. Filmed in Germany, Beyond the Sea of course takes its title from Darin’s hit version of the song.

Sadly, it was not a hit, but Darin’s son Dodd, Sandra Dee and Steve Blauner spoke highly of Spacey’s work. Critics praised Spacey’s performance, especially the use of his own singing voice, and he earned Golden Globe and Grammy nominations. After all the hard work, it cost $25million and earned only $8.45 million.

In 1997 Spacey by coincidence had performed a cover version of Darin’s ‘That Old Black Magic’ for the soundtrack of his film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. In 2004 Spacey did a 12-city United States concert tour titled An Evening Celebrating the Music of Bobby Darin, performing with a 19-piece band.

(C) Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1329

Link to Derek Winnert’s home page for more film reviews: http://derekwinnert.com/

Bobby Darin, Fifties teen idol, Sixties crooner.