Many people under 40 may not even remember Bobby Darin, let alone know about his remarkable life story. Beyond the Sea may rectify that problem and stand as a wonderful tribute to an amazing talent who left us all too soon.

Full Review | Dec 30, 2006

Gimmicky recounting of the crooner's life.

Full Review | Original Score: D | May 3, 2005

Much more 'Splish' than 'Splash.'

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Jan 15, 2005

Spacey the actor bails out Spacey the director. He's been talking about his abiding love of Darin for quite some time, and he nails Darin in look, deed and buttery croon, making up for many of the film's structural deficiencies.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jan 14, 2005

This vainglorious biopic about Bobby Darin is really about what the '60s pop singer and actor means to Kevin Spacey.

Full Review | Dec 30, 2004

If Spacey's age problem proves an insurmountable distraction for literalists and Darin fans, his admirers will no doubt relish the chance to watch him sing, dance and basically take over the screen for two hours.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Dec 30, 2004

This is one of those rare movies that's so bad it's good, with lavish production numbers in which Spacey sings out of sync with the voice track and dances out of sync with his own feet.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4 | Dec 30, 2004

[Spacey is] someone who is capable of producing, writing, directing, starring and doing his own singing -- and making it all work magnificently.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Dec 30, 2004

Offers little psychological insight into the man beyond his mantra -- 'I want it all. ... I want to surpass Sinatra in everything he does.'

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 30, 2004

For the most part this movie is a kick to watch, and what a crazy-cool thing for a guy with two Oscars to attempt, a salute from one wandering artist to another.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Dec 30, 2004

Not unpleasant to watch, but it's another movie in which the art direction and costuming, and, of course, the soundtrack, are of more interest than the story, whatever it is.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 30, 2004

Your standard biopic boilerplate, with a lot of self-reflexive hokum.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 30, 2004

The one thing Spacey couldn't do for Beyond the Sea was grow younger. And that's the 'gotta-shut-your-eyes' flaw that keeps Spacey's Bobby Darin biopic from being a great movie, instead of just a good one.

Full Review | Dec 30, 2004

Ostensibly a love letter to Mr. Darin, it's more a love letter from Mr. Spacey to Mr. Spacey.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Dec 30, 2004

Beyond the Sea doesn't quite have [that swing]. But it's close.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 29, 2004

The movie possesses genuine feeling because Spacey is there with Darin during all the steps of this journey, up and down, all the way into death.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 29, 2004

A movie that gets a few things absolutely right while getting quite a few other things very, very wrong indeed.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 29, 2004

Jaw-droppingly awful.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4 | Dec 29, 2004

The film never gives you a real sense of what drove Darin on.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 29, 2004

Like a lounge revue on a second-class cruise ship.

Full Review | Dec 23, 2004