SYNOPSIS:
For BOBBY DARIN (Kevin Spacey), performing was his life. He
came alive onstage, even when he was near collapse offstage.
In BEYOND THE SEA, Bobby tells us his own story, in his last
great performance. With a heart damaged by rheumatic fever,
Walden Robert Cassotto – Little BOBBY isn't supposed
to live to see age 15. But when his mother POLLY shows him
the happiness that comes with music, Bobby finds the inspiration
he needs to stay alive. Making music opens a world beyond
sickness, where prodigious talent, drive and imagination can
overcome a faulty heart. With the help and support of his
devoted family - Polly, his older sister NINA her husband
CHARLIE - Bobby will become a star.
And
so he does.Bobby charts his own stubbornly eclectic musical
path, writing original songs and performing in a range of
genres. Turning his sights beyond music, Bobby launches a
movie career and marries America's favorite young star, SANDRA
DEE (Kate Bosworth). But Bobby's relentless professional ambition
has begun to poison his private life, and the late 60s find
him isolated, confused and directionless. In the end, with
his childhood illness finally catching up, Bobby must look
to his friends, family and extraordinary talent to quell his
demons and accept who he is and what his life has meant.
MOVIE
REVIEW
Where
is Superman when you need him? Someone tell The Man of Steel
that Lex Luther and Lois Lane have got something going on
behind him? Wait, wrong movie here. Besides, the man who looks
like Lex Luther has hair, and the lady who resembles Lois
Lane is a blonde.
Oh,
this is the 2004 movie directed by Kevin Spacey telling the
story of lifelong performer Bobby Darin. It is also the movie
that left Spacey so impressed with leading actress Kate Bosworth
that he recommended her for the part of Lois Lane in Superman
Returns (2006). And what fine performances the two give in
this uplifting and encouraging movie musical.
The
movie unfolds itself through Darin’s voiceover, telling
us his life story, in his final performance on stage. Overcoming
all odds, Darin searches for hope and determination in music
during his sick childhood days. Along the way, he manages
to snag Hollywood actress Sandra Dee, as well as a movie career.
Of course, like all good stories go, the protagonist has a
price to pay.
What
impresses us about this movie is Spacey’s singing. Other
than helming the role of the director, Spacey performed all
the songs himself, and he brings Darin’s spirits to
life.
Bosworth
plays her role as Sandra Dee with just the right enough amount
of glamour and spunk, which is actually more of a joy to watch
than her rather bland portrayal of Lois Lane. The supporting
roles are reliably played by John Goodman, Bob Hoskins and
Brenda Blethyn.
The
production value of the movie is considerably high, with some
beautifully lighted scenes and pretty set designs that will
pamper your eyes.
For
non-musical fans, the movie may not make much sense. Besides,
the story is told in a rather predictable and theatrical manner,
using voiceovers, flashbacks and occasional imaginary song
and dance sequences. And at a runtime of 118 minutes, some
viewers may be quick to lose their patience.
But,
like most musicals go, the tunes in this movie will have you
humming. Familiar tracks like “Mack the Knife”
and “Beyond the Sea” are fun to listen to, especially
when they are accompanied by enjoyably-choreographed dance
sequences, with colourful costumes and backdrops.
So
if you are having a gloomy and depressing day, this is the
movie to pop into your payer to enjoy the song sequences to
brighten your day up. Yes, you don’t need Superman to
save your day all the time.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The visual transfer isn’t exactly fantastic, but the
audio options of English Dolby 2.0 and English Dolby 5.1 do
justice to the songs in the movie.
SPECIAL FEATURES
No extra features are included in this Code 3 DVD, which
is quite a shame given its potential to incorporate some making-ofs
and real footages of Bobby Darin to attract more buyers.
MOVIE
RATING:
 
OVERALL
DVD RATING :
Review
by John Li
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