BEYOND THE SEA

Year: 2004
USA: Lions Gate Entertainment
UK: Entertainment Film Distributors
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, John Goodman, Bob Hoskins, Brenda Blethyn, Greta Scacchi, Caroline Aaron, Peter Cincotti, Michael Byrne, Matt Rippy, Gary Whelan, William Ullrich
Director: Kevin Spacey
Countries: USA / Germany / UK
USA & UK: 118 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for some strong language and a scene of sensuality
UK Certificate: 12A contains strong language
USA Release Date: 29 December 2004 (Limited Release - wider)
USA Release Date: 17 December 2004 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and New York)
UK Release Date: 26 November 2004


Synopsis

For Bobby Darin (Kevin Spacey), performing was his life. It kept his heart beating. He came alive onstage, even when he was near collapse offstage. In BEYOND THE SEA, Bobby tells us his own story, in his last great performance.

With a heart damaged by rheumatic fever, Walden Robert Cassotto - Little Bobby (William Ullrich) isn't supposed to live to see age 15. But when his mother Polly (Brenda Blethyn) shows him the happiness that comes with music, Bobby finds the inspiration he needs to stay alive. Making music opens a world beyond sickness, where prodigious talent, drive and imagination can overcome a faulty heart. With the help and support of his devoted family - Polly, his older sister Nina (Caroline Aaron) and Nina's husband Charlie (Bob Hoskins) - Bobby will become a star.

And so he does. Working with his best friend and manager, Steve Blauner (John Goodman), Bobby charts his own stubbornly eclectic musical path, writing original songs and performing in a range of genres. Turning his sights beyond music, Bobby launches a movie career and marries America's favorite young star, Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth). But Bobby's relentless professional ambition has begun to poison his private life, and the late 60s find him isolated, confused and directionless. In the end, with his childhood illness finally catching up with him, Bobby must look to his friends, family and extraordinary talent to quell his demons and accept who he is and what his life has meant.

DVD EXTRAS

Optional Filmmakers Commentary
The Making of 'Beyond the Sea'