Beyond the Sea (PG-13, 2004)

In BEYOND THE SEA, Kevin Spacey portrays nightclub singer Bobby Darin, of "Mack the Knife" and "Splish Splash" fame. The story is told as a musical, a movie Darin is filming about his own life, while he relives many of the moments that changed his path for better or for worse. At the prompting of a young boy who is set to play Darin as a child, Darin remembers his highs and lows from his illness in youth to his triumphant return to stage prior to his death. With a superb supporting cast including Bob Hoskins, Brenda Blethyn, and Kate Bosworth, it's easy to feel the loyalty, love, and support that his family gave him throughout his life. Perhaps that is why it's so much harder to sympathize when Darin clearly is more open and loving with his inner-child (represented by the actor set to play him as a youth) than with his son or any other of his family members.

Spacey also directed this film, and his bravery in choosing the subject is as evident as the bravery Darin exhibits in overcoming painful illness to succeed on stage. The challenge is that Darin is not all that likeable. His ambition and disconnect with others results in the sense that we are watching a tightly self-controlled character actor (Spacey) play a tightly self-controlled performer whose story is interesting and at times like a soap-opera but ultimately devoid of real feeling.

Spacey, older than Darin at his early death, was criticized for playing the part himself. That critique is unfair as Spacey gives a fantastic, nuanced portrayal of a performer who was a complicated man, who lived by his façade. This movie detracts nothing from the toe-tapping appeal of Darin's music, while adding nothing to the appeal of the man himself. There's not much here for kids -- they aren't likely to care. Some may want to watch to see Kate Bosworth, but otherwise you might want to save this for a night when the kids are out.

Studio: Lionsgate
Director: Kevin Spacey
Cast: John Goodman, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey
Genre: Drama
Run time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release: December 17, 2004
DVD release: June 7, 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some strong language and a scene of sensuality.