Beyond the Sea (2004)

A swooning study of "Mack the Knife" singer Bobby Darin (Spacey) specifically, and his relationship with his wife Sandra Dee (Bosworth).

Director:

Kevin Spacey

Writers:

Kevin Spacey, Lewis Colick

Stars:

Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, John Goodman

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Spacey	...	Bobby Darin
Kate Bosworth	...	Sandra Dee
John Goodman	...	Steve Blauner
Bob Hoskins	...	Charlie Cassotto Maffia
Brenda Blethyn	...	Polly Cassotto
Greta Scacchi	...	Mary Duvan
Caroline Aaron	...	Nina Cassotto Maffia
Peter Cincotti	...	Dick Behrke
William Ullrich	...	Little Bobby
Michael Byrne	...	Dr. Andretti
Matt Rippy	...	David Gershenson
Gary Whelan	...	Jules Podell
Jake Broder	...	1st Assistant Director
Tayfun Bademsoy	...	Ahmet Ertegun
Tomas Spencer	...	Delivery Guy

Storyline

Consummate entertainer Bobby Darin (1936-1973) is making a movie about his life. He's volatile, driven by the love of performing, ambition, perfectionism, and belief that he's living on borrowed time. He begins in the Bronx: a fatherless lad learning music and dance from his mom. His career starts slowly, then "Splish Splash" puts him at the top of the charts and on "Bandstand." He wants to be an entertainer, not a pop star, so he aims for the Copacabana; then it's on to the movies, where he meets and marries Sandra Dee. After, it's balancing career, health, marriage and family life, balances he doesn't always keep. Throughout, conversations with his boyhood self give him perspective.

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Plot Keywords:

career | sandra dee | bobby darin | love | singer | 

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Taglines:

In the era of cool, he was the soundtrack.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some strong language and a scene of sensuality

Details

Country:

USA Germany UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

Bobby Darin Biopic

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$23,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$29,869 (New Zealand) (17 November 2006)

Gross:

$29,869 (New Zealand) (17 November 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lions Gate Films, Archer Street Productions, QI Quality International GmbH & Co. KG

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many writers have requested WGA not to associate them with credits for the screenplay. Some of them include Tom Epperson and James Toback who worked with Barry Levinson.

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Goofs

When Bobby Darin is in the hospital the first time, the heart monitor is a modern type with a flat panel addressable display. Monitors of this era used monochrome oscilloscope type CRT displays.

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Quotes

Bobby Darin: No matter what happens, baby, you'll always be Sandra Dee.

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits we see Kevin Spacey performing another song. In the background there are lines moving to the music.

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Connections

References The Jackie Gleason Show (1952)

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Soundtracks

"La Mer"
(1943)
Written by Charles Trenet
Courtesy of EMI Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
Published by HNH International Ltd.
Performed by Charles Trenet

User Reviews

Spacey's performance seals the deal

This film just premiered a few hours ago at the film festival here in Toronto. Kevin Spacey, Bob Hoskins and Kate Bosworth were in attendance. It was a gala event. Having said that I was very nervous about the success of a film where one guy not only produces, stars in, directs, co-writes but also does his own singing. Well, the guy pulled it off beautifully. The structure takes a little getting used to. It opens with Spacey playing Darin starring in a biopic of his own life. When a reporter walks up to him and says: "Don't you think you are a little old to be playing a guy in his twenties?" I started to feel relieved. Spacey obviously was aware that this was a potential problem in the way viewers might view his starring role and he chose to deal with it straight on instead of avoiding it. The plot is not important in this film. Rather, what the movie is about is capturing the energy and drive of Darin himself and, perhaps most important, the urgency with which he lived his life. Darin knew from a very young age that his life would likely be cut short due to a heart condition. And that simply drove him to do the best he could, and to do it as quickly as possible. Spacey's singing talent is a wonder to behold. Without actually imitating Darin, he manages to capture Darin's charisma and stage presence and well as his singing characteristics and mannerisms. While I never forgot that it was Spacey I was watching, I found his performance to be entirely believable. It was obvious that Spacey, the actor, thoroughly loved what he was doing and that every ounce of his being and all of his energy had been invested into this role. This man is a multi-talented individual who tackled a very difficult project and somehow managed to pull it off - beautifully. Highly recommended!