For Teenagers Only - Bobby Darin

Advantages: Well told biopic of a Rock n Roll legend with good mixture of story and songs
Disadvantages: May only appeal to those interested in 1950s style music????

...I understand Kevin Spacey was instrumental in bringing this biopic of Bobby Darin's life to the big screen. This passion is reflected in Spacey's performance and the film overall. Beyond the Sea is the story of the tragedy and excitement of Bobby Darins life and combines a truly interesting story line with the music of the great man himself. The supporting performances from Kate Bosworth and Waldon Robert Cassotto are well acted and look out for Bob Hoskins as Bobby's brother in law. There are plenty of twists and turns to the plot, which was Bobby Darins life and provide the perfect background to the performances of all his greatest hits. Kevin Spacey is utterly convincing as Bobby himself, and he can really sing it like it was!!! A good mixture of heart rending story, upbeat music, fun and comical action. The story... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Tells the story of a compelling life, albeit badly
Disadvantages: Bad pictures, bad writing, bad editing, author's ego gets in the way.

...- and other basic errors, such as referring to Sandra Dee's movie "Gidget" as "Bridget". Where this biography really falls down however is Evanier's habit of critiquing Darin's work, choices, family and friends. Instead of being the neutral bystander retelling the story of Darin's life, he cannot resist adding his own opinions and comments, and even worse, his turgid reviews of Bobby's recordings. These reviews of single albums run to ridiculous lengths and make me question the abilities of his editors. However, crucially, Evanier seems to only be interested in the recordings Bobby made before 1966 when he turned his back on the swing and lounge style music Evanier clearly likes best - reviews of later work are either dismissively negative or simply non-existent. His ignorance comes through in places too. He asserts that Sandra Dee, Bobby's first... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Star Spotting
Disadvantages: Not Enough Bobby

...We Want Bobby = Robert 'Bobby' Kennedy is a man who lived and died in the shadow of his brother John. Many films have been made about Johns life and his assassination, perhaps most notably the controversial JFK by Oliver Stone. So Bobby is here to try to redress the balance of the man who many thought would be the next American President and their savior. Conclusion = I was surprised when the end titles came up and said directed by Emilio Estevez, then suddenly everything made sense. I was wondering how so many A list stars ended up having small parts in this film and Martin Sheen and Emilio together on screen. If you like star spotting then this is the film for you. Harry Belafonte looks good for an 80 year old. The film does not have an actor portraying Bobby himself, the film cuts to archive footage... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful