USA/Germ/UK 2004
Score: **
Director: Kevin Spacey

The audience was informed during the promotional screening of BEYOND THE SEA that the film version of the life and times of singer/actor Bobby Darin had for years been the dream project of Kevin Spacey. He had grown up hearing all the Bobby Darin songs (played by his mother) and it comes as no surprise that Spacey performs all the musical numbers on his own.

BEYOND THE SEA begins with Spacey’s confident rendering of MACK THE KNIFE. The film takes a step back, intercutting between the narrative of Darin’s life story and discussion between him (Spacey) and younger self.  This device works more to the film’s disadvantage, reminding the viewer that he/she is watching a film about Bobby Darin than immersing him/her in the story. 

Kevin Spacey has been nominated for a golden globe for his performance as Darin. But it is clear from the first scene that this 46-year old man is playing what is essentially a Toby Maguire role. He looks the oldest in the majority of the scenes. Needless to say, the chemistry between him and much younger Kate Bosworth (as wife Sandra Dee) just isn’t there. Whether prancing around, doing the love scenes or decked in red colorful gear, Spacey is past his years for the role. This point hits the peak in the scene when Spacey plays Darin at his oldest and most worn down at 36. Or when he has a press reporter (at the film’s start) complain to him— daring at least of Spacey to include this scene in the film—after watching Bobby Darin rehearsing as his younger self that he is too old to play the part. In one scene, Darin mentions about reality only being in theatres and fantasy being the essence of movies. Obviously, this point must have gone to Spacey’s head. However, to Spacey’s credit, he performs all the musical numbers with the energy of a 20-year old.

The disclaimer that the filmmakers have taken certain artistic liberties with Darin’s life also makes the viewer wonder what is true and what is not. Did Darin really take his name from the half lit neon restaurant “Mandarin” sign? Worse of all – did he die during his comeback Vegas performance or was this another ‘liberty’ taken to heighten the film’s dramatic climax?

BEYOND THE SEA contains a few scenes of genuine humor. The best is the “Oh my God- I cannot believe I did not win the Oscar” scene with Spacey imitating and scoffing Melvyn Douglas’ HUD performance. Or Greta Scacchi’s (Sandra Dee’s mother) line to her daughter: “Why not go for Rock Hudson instead?”

As far as the performances go, Brenda Blethyn and Scacchi do admirable jobs as the mothers but John Goodman and Bob Hoskins can only do so much with their under-written roles.

If a word could be used to sum up BEYOND THE SEA – the word would be superficiality. In the currently playing HOTEL RWANDA, Joaquin Phoenix remarked when thanked for shooting a video on genocide that might prompt the west to intervene: “If people see this footage, they will say: ‘Oh my God, that is horrible.’ Then they will go on with their dinner.” In BEYOND THE SEA, Darin riles up an entire Vegas night-club audience to sing along with him a Vietnam freedom song. And that is supposed to help stop the war and pacify Darin’s demons. Bobby Darrin was a charismatic performer. He was a troubled, self-centered man that was hell to work or live with.  That is all that can be said about any insights provided by this dismal fantasy biopic. Spacey’s attempt to instill any artistic imagery (e.g. Darin as boy and adult conversing together in certain scenes) only re-enforces the film’s superficiality. BEYOND THE SEA is a total embarrassment for Kevin Spacey!

Review by Gilbert Seah