ViewGuide

Created Oct 13, 2012 05:21PM PST • Edited Oct 13, 2012 05:21PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   Kevin Spacey stars as singer Bobby Darin in this self-narrated and self-directed quasi-musical film with old school recognizable crooner tunes like “Mack the Knife” and “Splish Splash”. Although it is a biopic, it feels more like fictional entertainment with a dramatic flair – as the biographical flashbacks flashing by. The biography aspect whisks on by, and although entertaining, you feel like it a fiction and dramatic act, rather than a telling of history. When you understand how Bobby overcomes significant odds, you sort of give him a hall pass for his narcissistic behavior. Kevin must have really enjoyed this role – he appears to glow, especially during the Bronx shticks and relishing all the attention. However, that’s not the best of it – the best is when Kevin and Kate Bosworth (as Bobby’s wife Sandra Dee) are together and heated; both positive heat and negative heat – the dynamics between them were fantastic. All in all, this is a very enjoyable and educating film about a great bygone era.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Kevin Spacey and Kate Bosworth were great, seperately and togegether as mentioned above. Some other picks:

   William Ulrich – a little firecracker as little Bobby.

   Bob Hoskins – great as brother Charlie Cassotto Maffia and his “How yous doin?” Bronx Italian schtick

   Caroline Aaron – also great as Nina and her big hair and Bronx low-brow approach

   John Goodman – not bad as band member Steve Blauner

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Good 3.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    I would have skipped the showy musical parts.

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play OK 2.5

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals OK 2.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.4

17. Sex Innocent 1.4

18. Violence Gentle 1.4

19. Rudeness Polite 1.4

21. Reality

    Glib 2.0

22. Circumstantial Glib 2.0

23. Biological Glib 2.0

24. Physical Glib 2.0