Posted on 01/08/2005 11:24:29 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
My husband and I saw a movie last night that I would like to recommend to members of FreeRepublic as a break from the often overwhelmingly grim news of the day (Iraq, Indonesia). The movie is "Beyond The Sea", PG-13, the biopic of Bobby Darin, singer, composer, showman.
This movie is simply outstanding and deserves to be seen in a theater with surround sound -- please don't wait for the DVD.
Kevin Spacey wrote it, directed it, produced it, and stars in it; and he is fabulous. But -- equally fabulous is the rest of the cast -- John Goodman, William Ullrich, Bob Hoskins and others whose names I do not remember, but whose characters I'll never forget.
One of the most intriguing things about the movie is the unusual way in which it is crafted. Through a series of flash backs and flash forwards, the child (Darin) narrates the story at breakneck speed through the adult Darin's short, but highly accomplished, life. And it's all believable!
Kevin Spacey does all his own singing and dancing in this flick, and I defy anyone to claim that it is not Darin himself up on the screen. Spacey is simply perfect in the role! And he is supported by an outstanding cast who are also perfect in their characterizations.
The child who plays Darin in his youth is terrific, gradually ramping up his performance from shy/tentative to a glorius climax that makes you want to shout, "A star is born!" at the end. I think the little boy's name is William Ullrich -- Ullrich for sure, not certain about the William part. Anyhow, look for him in the future.
Spacey's writing and directing skillfully plays on your emotions, switching directions every time the story starts to get too sad. You wind up fully appreciating the brief time we enjoyed Darin's talent in our midst, rather than heartbroken that he died so young.
My husband and I are still humming tunes from the movie today, and we'll probably go see it again. It was THAT good.
There were about 3 bad words in the whole movie and one unpleasant argument scene between Darin and Sandra Dee. (They make up quickly.) Nothing any worse than what children see on TV every day. Yet, it was a very sophisticated presentation and one the the whole family will enjoy.
Who knew Spacey could sing and dance?
Splish, Splash!
;-)
Sounds like a plan.
Beyond the Sea (Official Site)
I am going to see this movie later on this week.
Yes, Kevin Spacey was excellent portraying Bobby Daren. However, what was fact and what was fantasy? Was he actually this big Vietnam war protester? I actually took somewhat a different spin on the whole movie. One thing that really jumped out at me was the anti-war theme. Kevin Spacey is one of the Hollywood crowd that is anti-Bush and, of course, anti-Iraqi war. And, Spacey is quite clever in how he slips this into the movie in an anti-Vietnam theme.
Basically the war in Vietnam wasn't lost in the jungles of Vietnam, but in the streets and universities of America.
According to the link in #34 posted by Banshee Bill, Darin DID get involved with the Kennedy campaign. Because everybody running in that election was running against LBJ, the war was a major theme. Also, "folk music" was sweeping the country. Everyone liked it -- not just the hippies -- and most of the recording artists morphed into that genre. Think Kingston Trio, John Denver, Jim Croce.
Frankly, I don't remember Darin being involved. But I was so poor and so involved raising 4 kids I wasn't very up to date in my listening. My singing fare was more in the nursery school genre. I wasn't hanging out in Las Vegas or the Copacabana, so I only heard Darin when he was a guest on Ed Sullivan, or one of the other Sunday night shows. We didn't have I Pods & Walkmans and 11 speaker stereo in our cars to keep up with the latest trends.
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