From: iain
Message:
Watched 'Beyond the Sea' today... also saw 'Polar Express' and reviewed
Lindsay Lohan's pop debut 'Speak' (yes, I have been smoking a lot of
crack lately) on www.killyourtv.co.uk
---
Kevin Spacey recently appeared on 'Parkinson'. He was characteristically
tight lipped during the interview, with Parkinson's usual "Tell me about
your mother" interview "technique" getting nowhere. However when he
stepped up to the stage to perform a couple of tracks from his up-coming
Bobby Darin biopic 'Beyond the Sea', the usually staid actor came to
life, reveling in the showman's role. While Spacey's voice wasn't
spot-on to Darins, he had his stage mannerisms down to a tee. The
performance did it's job and was enough to sell me the film.
Spacey stars as Darin, a talented 'swing' singer who aspired to be Frank
Sinatra, but came out with some of his own memorable hits such as
'Splish Splash', 'Dream Lover' and 'Mack the Knife'. As a child Darin
suffered rheumatic fever that damaged his heart and his mother was told
he wouldn't live past 15. He proved the docs wrong by powering through
life with the help of his passion for music and live performance
instilled in him by his beloved mother. By the age of 20 he's had a hit
single with the rock-n-roll 'Splish Splash'. However he yearns for the
big-band swing sound, and goes on to record 'Mack the Knife' and the
rest is history. He becomes a massive star, Hollywood calls and he
starts in the movies. Sandra Dee, played by Kate Bosworth, is the
actress who caught his eye and after a whirlwind romance they end up
married. The majority of the movie follows his trials and tribulations
as he struggles to balance his career with his role as a father and
husband, while battling constant illness.
Spacey is outstanding as Darin, and although I had some initial
reservations regarding his suitability for the role he won me over by
the end of the film. He also directed the film and his directing
definitely needs some polish, but for a second feature it's more than
adequate. Kate Bosworth is exceptional as Sandra Dee, and I think she's
going to be offered a lot more dramatic roles following this
performance.
Despite a weak third act, Spacey has an obvious enthusiasm for Darin's
music and life story and it's very apparent in the film, injecting what
would normally be a dull biopic with life and passion. The musical
performances alone are worth the ticket price and if a film like
'Chicago' can pick up a few gold statues I think the Academy are going
to lap this one up in February.
'Beyond the Sea' is on general cinema release from Friday 24th November.
iain
(fully hyperlinked review with pics up on www.killyourtv.co.uk)
