Beyond the Sea

Set across the late 1950s through the early 1970s, the film follows Darin’s transformation from teen idol to versatile performer and public figure. It traces shifts in American popular music—from rock and roll to big-band standards, and later to folk-inflected songs. The era includes his involvement in Robert F. Kennedy’s campaign and, ultimately, his death at 37.

Locations trace Darin’s ascent from a working-class Bronx upbringing to the glamorous stages of Manhattan and beyond. The narrative visits Las Vegas’s neon showrooms and the iconic Copacabana nightclub as pivotal turning points. It also situates the artist’s retreat by Big Sur as a moment of reflection away from the tour life.

🎭 Fame

Driven by an ambition to redefine himself, Bobby Darin navigates fame's glitter and peril. The film shows how reinvention becomes a survival strategy—from teen idol to a sophisticated vocalist and film star. He interacts with a younger version of himself, symbolizing the personal costs of chasing public adulation. Fame reshapes relationships and pushes him to perform for different audiences, sometimes at the expense of his private life.

💔 Love

Romance drives much of the story, beginning with his courtship of the 18-year-old Sandra Dee. The elopement and songs like 'Beyond the Sea' amplify their bond, but the relationship is tested by touring and alcohol, leading to separation and reconciliation. They welcome a son, Dodd, adding complexity to Bobby's aspirations and family life. The love story is framed against the backdrop of fame and changing times.

🎶 Music

Music is the thread that defines Bobby's identity, dictating both career choices and personal growth. He moves from teen rock-and-roll to big-band classics, to film stardom, and later experiments with folk and protest songs. The film also shows the anxiety of commercial success and audience expectations as genres shift. Ultimately, music anchors his legacy and fuels a late-career triumph in Las Vegas.