The chameleon-like actor Kevin Spacey is best known for playing pyschopaths (in Seven and The Usual Suspects) and capturing a creepy mid-life crisis in American Beauty--but surprisingly; playing crooner Bobby Darin; Spacey does some snappy dancing and top-notch singing. Beyond the Sea puts Darin's life through a bit of a kaleidoscope: While singing Darin's most memorable hit; "Mack the Knife;" Darin suddenly stops the show; revealing that he's not at a nightclub; but in the middle of a shooting a scene about his life as a nightclub performer. Why has he stopped? Because he's just seen himself as a young boy; peering from behind a curtain. Such self-conscious narrative twists recur throughout the movie; turning Darin's fight for fame and respect into a love story between his adult and childhood selves. Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth; Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!); a hugely popular movie star in her own right; was supposedly the love of Darin's life; but she never holds his attention as does his childhood self (played by newcomer William Ullrich). It's a striking metaphor for the narcissism that drives such success-hungry entertainers. But despite (or perhaps because of) the complexity of the telling; the events never grip your emotions; though Darin's life featured hits galore and a few soap opera twists; his story lacks the seductive charm of his nighclub show. Also featuring Bob Hoskins; John Goodman; Brenda Blethyn; and Greta Scacchi. --Bret Fetzer