Beyond the SeaMovie Reviews

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So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 46 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
14 Iffy for 14+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 80
    The Hollywood Reporter | Kirk Honeycutt

    Kevin Spacey, both as star and director, has created a hugely entertaining, highly empathetic portrait of a man for whom music was literally the thing that kept him alive. Read full review

  • 75
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    Doing his own singing (an uncanny imitation), Spacey is a marvel. Read full review

  • 75
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    It is also probably relevant that Spacey, in preparing the project, knew something we could not guess: He is a superb pop singer. Read full review

  • 70
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    It's raffish, flashy, energetic, entertaining and not very deep. Read full review

  • 70
    Washington Post | Ann Hornaday

    Artfully structured, combining old-school MGM-type musical numbers with occasional postmodern flourishes to keep the narrative moving. Read full review

  • 63
    USA Today | Mike Clark

    Spacey's brazen casting isn't as beyond the pale as it ought to be. In fact, it's hard to imagine this strange and only occasionally successful movie without him. Read full review

  • 50
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Weirdly moving. Read full review

  • 50
    The New York Times | Stephen Holden

    Beyond the Sea, with all its gaping faults, is the genuine article. It succeeds in being deeply and sincerely insincere. Read full review

  • 50
    Los Angeles Times | Carina Chocano

    Hindered by its own theatricality, Beyond the Sea feels at once hermetic, defensive and corny. Read full review

  • 25
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    Jaw-droppingly awful. Read full review

View more reviews for Beyond the Sea on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 14+ Interesting tale isn't likely to appeal to kids.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that Bobby Darin suffered from painful rheumatic fever as a child, was physically unwell, and died from his illness at the age of 37. This movie portrays his suffering as well as his death, which younger audiences might find scary. Mature themes, complicated characters, and implicit alcohol abuse make this movie inappropriate for sensitive viewers. Also, two characters die. Expect frequent swearing and insults, strong angry language, and references to sleeping around. A committed couple shares a scene of implicit sexuality. There is a raging marital dispute, ongoing arguments between friends and family, as well as questionable priorities for characters.
  • Families can talk about the factors, including ambition, that kept Darin alive long after doctors thought he should have died. Why is it so important for him to be successful? Darin is not portrayed as an entirely likeable character: what do you find moving about his choices? Do you think he redeems himself?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: Selfish behavior and references to marital strife.
What to watch for
  • violence false3 Violence: Character attacks a car with golf clubs, threatened violence.
  • sex false3 Sex: An intimate scene between committed couple, references to sleeping around, teenage pregnancy.
  • language false3 Language: Joking insults and name calling, strong language used by angry characters and an angry marital dispute.
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Social drinking, reference to drinking problem, references to pills.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Beyond the Sea Movie Ratings + Reviews

Fans say

So-so 81 fan reviews

Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

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