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	Beyond The Sea
	Kevin Spacey Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, John Goodman, Bob Hoskins, Brenda Blethyn, Greta Scacchi, Caroline Aaron, Peter Cincotti 2004		Much in the fashion of the Cole Porter biopic "De-Lovely," "Beyond the Sea" — the film biography of '60s cool-cat singer and actor Bobby Darin — is an unabashed, stylized, highly theatrical recapitulation of movies made in more innocent times. There's no doubt that "Beyond the Sea" is a labor of love for Kevin Spacey, who plays Darin, covers the singer's familiar songs, co-authored the screenplay and directed the film. Spacey's voice is equal to the task of delivering Darin's signature songs, from the early hit "Splish Splash" to later numbers such as a swingin' "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea." If he's too long in the choppers for the part, Spacey's verve and affection for the late and, up to now, too-little-lamented Darin work in his favor. Darin's life was the stuff of tragedy — boyhood rheumatic fever weakened his heart, and complications dogged him until a premature death; family secrets plagued him; he suffered career setbacks when he turned away from jazzy crooning and delved into folky protest music. But Spacey uses a dangerously corny device: the elder Darin holds an ongoing dialogue with his child self. And, at times, the depictions of Darin's relationship with his adored wife, actress Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth), and his interactions with his manager (John Goodman), sister (Caroline Aaron), brother-in-law (Bob Hoskins) and mother (Brenda Blethyn) are so histrionic that they begin to seem like parody.


	Sunday, November 17, 2024





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