The following are movie reviews of "Beyond the Sea," "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," "Million Dollar Baby," and "The Sea Inside."
'Beyond the Sea' features phenomenal vocal impersonation
By Harry Forbes
Actor Kevin Spacey's long-gestating Bobby Darin biography finally sees the light of day, with the actor confidently stepping into the late singer's shoes and delivering a phenomenal vocal performance that should surprise many.
In "Beyond the Sea" (Lions Gate), which he also produced, directed and co-wrote, Spacey confronts head-on any charges that at 44 he's too old to play Darin (who died at 36) by framing the narrative as if Darin, at the end of his career, is filming the story of his own life, with the help of his younger self (William Ullrich). Ullrich recently played the younger Antonio Banderas in the Broadway production of "Nine," which was based on Fellini's "8 1/2" which in turn Spacey has claimed was a model for his screenplay.
The story begins with the young Walden Robert Cassotto, stricken with rheumatic fever, being cared for by his mother, Polly (Brenda Blethyn). Darin hears the doctor tell Polly that Darin's heart has been damaged and that he'll "be lucky to see" his 15th birthday, a prediction that haunts him throughout his life.
Polly, a former vaudevillian, helps ease his recuperation with music and as he shows a talent for it she encourages him in his career. A big production number with Spacey, Blethyn and the large chorus dancing on the city street is the first indicator that, besides the actual "performance" numbers with Darin onstage, there will be fantasy numbers as in a real musical.
Polly witnesses the success of his early hits like "Splish Splash" and "Mack the Knife" but dies before he begins his movie career. While filming a Rock Hudson film in Italy, he falls madly in love with Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth), who treats him coolly and is under the thumb of a domineering mother (Greta Scacchi).
Darin charms her, though, and proposes. In spite of the enraged mother, they marry. Dee is a mass of nerves on her wedding night, and pathetically crouches in the closet in tears, afraid of intimacy. In a sweet scene, Darin promises her he'll stay on his side of the bed for as long as she wants, and that "crossing over" will be her decision. She succumbs to his low-key, sincere approach. From this point on, the film becomes much more compelling.
Darin's fast career-track strains the marriage, even after their son Dodd is born. Dee begins to drink excessively, brought on by the stresses of their twin careers. His career flourishes with Darin's older sister, Nina (Caroline Aaron), in frequent attendance, along with Nina's husband, Charlie (Bob Hoskins), who eventually becomes Darin's protector.
As time passes, Darin attempts to modify his musical style to include folk and anti-war songs. On the personal front, he receives a shattering revelation about his parentage and the assassination of Robert Kennedy deals him a heavy blow, as he also copes with increasing heart-related health problems.
Spacey does, at first, seem a tad mature for the image of the smooth-faced young Darin, but from the first notes of his opening song, the vocal impersonation is stunningly good, with Spacey projecting a solid singing voice, amazingly like Darin's. Impressive as Jamie Foxx's assumption of Ray Charles was in "Ray," Spacey's achievement is all the more remarkable for doing his own singing.
Dramatically, he's fine, too, especially once the plot gets going, but you never quite forget you're watching Spacey, not Darin. All the musical numbers are slickly done, and the elaborate fantasy sequences, as when he romances Dee with the catchy title song, work well, too.
In spite of some knock-down, drag-out fights, the bond between Darin and Dee is portrayed as strong and loving, reinforced by their mutual love of their son. (The film conveniently ignores their real-life divorce, but a written postscript to the film informs us that Dee loves Darin to this day, and never remarried.)
Spacey's direction is assured, the production design handsome, and he's drawn fine performances from Hoskins, Blethyn and John Goodman (as his agent). Up-and-coming jazz pianist/singer Peter Cincotti has a small supporting role as Darin's friend and pianist.
Dramatically, the story is flawed, but musically -- and there are plenty of songs -- "Beyond the Sea" is a high from beginning to end. It's a triumph for the multifaceted Spacey, whose versatility matches that of his beloved subject.
The film contains some rough and profane language and one nonexplicit sexual encounter. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (Paramount)
Delightfully macabre tale of three Baudelaire orphans --- one an infant --- navigating their perilous way through various guardians into whose dubious care they've been entrusted after the death of their parents in a mysterious fire: evil Count Olaf (Jim Carrey) who has an eye on their fortune; kindly but dimwitted reptile collector Uncle Monty (Billy Connolly); and hyperphobic Aunt Josephine (Meryl Streep) who lives in a house perched high on a cliff. Director Brad Silberling's adaptation of three books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler; here voiced by Jude Law) makes for excellent Edward Gorey-like family viewing for all but perhaps the very youngest children who might find some of the situations scary, though the action is played humorously tongue-in-cheek throughout. Some mildly intense situations and a smattering of crude language. Rating: A-II (PG)
Million Dollar Baby (Warner Bros.)
Dark-edged drama about an ornery old-school trainer and manager (Clint Eastwood) who finds personal redemption in molding a scrappy but determined female boxer (Hilary Swank) into a contender, only to have his efforts implode in tragedy. What starts out as a formulaic, Rockyesque fight film takes a disturbingly downbeat turn, becoming a somber meditation on assisted suicide with a morally problematic ending which, despite knockout performances by Eastwood (who also directed), Swank and Morgan Freeman as a grizzled ring rat, will leave Catholic viewers emotionally against the ropes. A guilt-wracked, but ultimately permissive, depiction of euthanasia, much bloody boxing violence, some rough and crude language and profanity. Rating: O (PG-13)
The Sea Inside (Fine Line)
True-life drama about Spanish poet Ramon Sampedro (Javier Bardem), tragically paralyzed in a freak diving accident, who fought a losing 30-year legal battle for the right to end his own life, focusing on his relationships with three women: a terminally ill lawyer (Belen Rueda) hired to help with his case, his dedicated sister-in-law and caretaker (Mabel Rivera), and a lonely single mother (Lola Duenas) with whom he bonds. Soberly crafted by director Alejandro Amenabar, with a tour-de-force performance by Bardem, dreamlike visuals and sprinkles of humor, the complex film raises profound moral questions concerning death, dignity, the sanctity of human life and personal autonomy, and provides an impassioned voice for both sides of the issue, allowing viewers to decide. Many will undoubtedly see the movie as little more than a gilded defense of assisted suicide, especially given its morally problematic ending. A sympathetic view of euthanasia, and some brief mild sensuality. Rating: O (PG-13)
Harry Forbes is director of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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