Review of Beyond the Sea (2004) by Greg D — 07 Apr 2013

I have a weakness for music biopics, so I found this one entertaining (and heartbreaking, in its way. Anyone who thinks Bobby Darin was just some cornball oldies singer has never heard his version "If I Were a Carpenter.

" By the time he wanted to do more reflective material, he had had too many near-novelty pop hits that were bubblegum or close to it; the audience had trouble adjusting. Nevertheless, he was a star, and a beloved figure to anyone who treasures the fun pop music of the '60s.

There is a reason he was on one of the coolest record labels ever: Atlantic records. Spacey put his heart into this, even if there was one too many choreographed dance numbers for my taste. Frankly, I think the critics were too rough on this movie.