Beyond the Sea

2004

Beyond the Sea

Critics Consensus

Kevin Spacey's bio of singer Bobby Darin is either a fearless piece of showmanship or an embarrassing vanity project, according to critics.

42%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 156

64%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 17,935

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Movie Info

For Bobby Darin, performing was his life. It kept his heart beating. He came alive onstage, even when he was near collapse offstage. From the age of seven, Walden Robert Cassotto--Little Bobby knows the odds are stacked against him. Rheumatic fever has permanently damaged his heart, and he's not expected to make it to age fifteen. Bobby's family pours all their energies into caring for him. Bobby's frail heart may be one truth, but his mother Polly, a former singer, introduces her boy to another wonderful truth: music. Music becomes Bobby's bargaining chip against time; he's not only singing, but also playing piano, drums and guitar before he even hits his teens. Music takes him into a world beyond the Bronx, and beyond sickness. It's a world of effortlessly swinging songs, and couples dancing to the lilt of Bobby's voice. Bobby has a plan, and no heart ailment will stop him.

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Cast

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

All Critics (156) | Top Critics (37)

  • Many people under 40 may not even remember Bobby Darin, let alone know about his remarkable life story. Beyond the Sea may rectify that problem and stand as a wonderful tribute to an amazing talent who left us all too soon.

    Dec 30, 2006 | Full Review…

    Paul Clinton (CNN.com)

    CNN.com
    Top Critic

  • Spacey the actor bails out Spacey the director. He's been talking about his abiding love of Darin for quite some time, and he nails Darin in look, deed and buttery croon, making up for many of the film's structural deficiencies.

    Jan 14, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Peter Howell

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

  • This vainglorious biopic about Bobby Darin is really about what the '60s pop singer and actor means to Kevin Spacey.

    Dec 30, 2004 | Full Review…

    Desson Thomson

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • If Spacey's age problem proves an insurmountable distraction for literalists and Darin fans, his admirers will no doubt relish the chance to watch him sing, dance and basically take over the screen for two hours.

    Dec 30, 2004 | Rating: B | Full Review…

    Ann Hornaday

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • This is one of those rare movies that's so bad it's good, with lavish production numbers in which Spacey sings out of sync with the voice track and dances out of sync with his own feet.

    Dec 30, 2004 | Rating: 1/4

    Bruce Newman

    San Jose Mercury News
    Top Critic

  • Spacey may worship at the altar of Darin, but the real Bobby was beyond him.

    Dec 30, 2004 | Rating: 2/5

    Roger Moore

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (156)

Audience Reviews for Beyond the Sea

  • Feb 13, 2011
    I loved the show. Beautiful soundtrack, gorgeous sets and costumes, good writing, and great performances. you will like the first half of "Beyond The Sea", with its production numbers and people dancing in the streets and love blooming all over the place and rising above adversity to achieve fame and fortune ... ... but the second half was like a whole different movie. No more dancing in the streets, nothing to be happy about at all, just illness, alcoholism, politics, audience rejection and early death. The songs are all done well. Not to be missed if you like that sort of music.
    Mouhannad S Super Reviewer
  • Nov 30, 2010
    I'm not into musicals so it was probably all the musical numbers that ruined it for me.I tried & tried but I could NOT sit through the whole thing
    Brody M Super Reviewer
  • Jan 09, 2010
    Kevin Spacey did a great job putting together the story of Bobby Darin, one of the most popular singers of his time in the 60's. Spacey directed and starred and even did his own singing and dancing in this film that chronicles Darin's childhood then skips ahead to when he's older and just starting out. Darin didn't have drug and alcohol problems or anything else that gets thrown into your usual run-of-the-mill biopic. Bobby Darin was given just years to live, so he pretty much lived his entire life on borrowed time. He had the usual marital troubles and later finds out his sister is actually his mother, but - for better or worse - the story doesn't have the drama and theatrics that most films of these types seem to delve into and ride until the end. Still, Spacey did a terrific job in capturing the spirit and joy that performing did for Darin back in the day.
    Derek D Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2009
    A bit underrated, the songs are great, the performances are okay, the dances are just okay... I like this movie because it didnt apply the similar dramatization that every biopics have.. It dramatize everything in a more fun way.
    Cita W Super Reviewer
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