Wednesday, January 26, 2005

BEYOND THE SEA




Musical

BACKGROUND
b. Walden Robert Cassotto, 14 May 1936, New York, USA
d. 20 December 1973, Los Angeles, California, USA
better known as Bobby Darin, his entry to the music business occurred during the mid-1950's following a period playing in New York coffee-houses. An unsuccessful attempt at a hit with a cover version of Lonnie Donegan's "Rock Island Line" was followed by a move towards pop novelty with "Splish Splash". Darin's quirky vocals ensured that the song was a worldwide hit. The solo release, “Dream Lover" with its enticing vocal performance allied to strong production, took it to number 1 in the UK and number 2 in the USA. Already assured of considerable status as a pop artist, Darin dramatically changed direction with his next recording and emerged as a finger-clicking master of the supper club circuit. His signature song "Mack The Knife” was a million-seller and effectively raised Darin to new status as a serious singer.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Kevin Spacey: Bobby Darin as an adult
William Ullrich: the young Bobby Darin
Brenda Blethyn: his mother Polly
Caroline Aaron: his sister Nina
Bob Hoskins: Nina’s husband Charlie
John Goodman: Bobby’s manager Steve Blauner
Kate Bosworth: movie star Sandra Dee
Greta Scacchi: her overly-protective mother, Mary

REVIEW
Seen as a musical rather than as a straight-forward biography of Bobby Darin, it’s not bad. Spacey does a very credible job of re-creating the popular singer both in voice and singing style. However, he looks far too old for the part (where’s makeup when you need it?). Some of the scenes are a little “over the top” but that is in keeping with the quasi-documentary style of the movie.

CLASSIFICATION
for some strong language and a scene of sensuality.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
During one of the street scenes in the Bronx, several people are sitting on a truck’s open tailgate, which is covered with a blue cloth. The point of view changes to the dancers and immediately back to the viewers to get their reaction. Now they are standing and the blue cloth is no longer draped over the tailgate.

When at the pond, Bobby Darin jumps into a rowboat and that creates ripples going across the water. Then he sits down and the boat pulls away across a perfectly flat undisturbed surface.

P.S.
Released in 1960, the song Beyond the Sea was originally a French song called La Mer. Although not one of his biggest hits, it apparently was one of Bobby's personal favorites

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