Review of Beyond the Sea (2004) by Esraa B — 29 Dec 2010

Is this film Kevin Spacey's baby, his solo work of art? Or is it him, embodied? The film is far more interesting if you ask yourself those questions during it. It's nothing too spectacular if you go into it with just the idea of seeing a Bobby Darin biopic. Spacey was deeply inspired by him and this goes much further than simply paying tribute to him. And because Mr. Spacey put so much of himself into it, you really believe him. It's sheer brilliance as far as performance goes. He's a terrific singer and dancer. The surrealism is great as well and it is dazzling at several points. It still could've been pushed a bit further, though.

I didn't like the length of it too much. Two hours is too much. I think at least 20 minutes could've been knocked off it. The thing that really miffed me was the fact that, in the end, we know it's Kevin Spacey's big fantasy-- something he popped out of his mind and onto the screen for us-- so I wish somehow he would have just come out and admitted to that fact. He may as well have made up a completely different story instead of making a movie about Bobby Darin.

See this if you love Kevin Spacey.

(P.S. Just realized this is my 50th review! Yay!).