SummaryA chronicle of reclusive Beach Boys songwriter and musician Brian Wilson's life, from his successes with highly-influential orchestral pop albums to his nervous breakdown and subsequent encounter with controversial therapist Dr. Eugene Landy.
SummaryA chronicle of reclusive Beach Boys songwriter and musician Brian Wilson's life, from his successes with highly-influential orchestral pop albums to his nervous breakdown and subsequent encounter with controversial therapist Dr. Eugene Landy.
This is a biographic music based drama, which includes/covers themes including psychotherapy, songwriting, therapy, self worth, mental health and trust. It is quite an atmospheric film from early on - I found myself feeling quite sorry for Brian, played by Paul Dano in the 1960s scenes. I should say early on that it doesn't shy away from the obviously quite big issues covered, so its quite an emotional watch. When I was young, my dad used to play the Beach Boys songs on a cassette tape in the car, when the two of us would go in to town, or to the country to ride my bike but in any case, I have fond memories of listening to their songs, such as Barbara-Anne, God Only Knows and so on. I have anxiety - I'm obviously not going to claim to have had issues on near the same level as Mr. Wilson has but I definitely did find myself re-thinking the meaning behind some of his songwriting work, such as the lyrics to 'God Only Knows'. It can come across as quite a dreamy love song but I can clearly see that he must have been in a dark place to have written such lyrics (look them up via Google if necessary). I could relate to his seeking solace in working on writing, as I also write sometimes in a sort of a **** capacity but I suppose thats somewhat irrelevant.
I found it a very engrossing film, with different characters responding to Wilson's demeanour in various ways. Its quite unsettling at times, even perhaps a little spooky, although I'm not sure if thats the best way to word it but im not sure how else to. It gives an insight in to a clearly rather fragile mans life and may make the viewer wonder about how people (in terms of society back in the 60s-80s) overlooked those with such issues.
Cast wise, as mentioned Paul Dano plays Brian Wilson in the 1960s. He looks very much the part of a creative daydreaming young pop star type - clearly feeling a bit overwhelmed, anxious and depressed at times but not entirely wanting it to be known. As time moves on, you can clearly see the anguish on his face, as he tries to speak up, to have his feelings listened to via his music, although the consensus isn't greatly in favour of it after not so long. Meanwhile, in the 1980s, he's depicted by John Cusak, who I felt also did very well at showing him as a more weary, quieter and less socially engaged adult Brian Wilson. Another main character in the film is Melinda Ledbetter, a new friend Brian makes in the 1980s and who is played by Elizabeth Banks. She seems very caring and friendly and also concerned for Brians welfare. Meanwhile, the therapist, Dr. Eugene Landy, is played by Paul Giamatti. I found myself feeling quite uncomfortable while watching scenes with him in it, due to the way he responds to Brian, his harshness at times. He seems a somewhat manipulative type but I won't say much more, so as not to potentially give any spoilers.
Obviously, most of the music (if not all of the music) played in this film is that of The Beach Boys, so pretty mid-tempo 1960s vocal harmony/pop music. When I was growing up as a teenager in the 1990s, my favourite group were the Backstreet Boys, which, when I think about it, their music was a bit similar in terms of some of the mid tempo songs. If I remember right, they performed at an event for Brian Wilsons birthday back around about 2004 or thereabouts. Suffice to say the music is generally quite uplifting, even though its ironic given Brians issues.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, I found it quite a thought provoking film. It is quite relevant in a number of ways, not least the aspect of how fickle the music industry was and, I have little doubt, still is plus the social commentary aspects.
Content wise, the film contains some strong language (not especially graphic, perhaps moderate language may be more accurate term?) on a few instances, although its far from a regular occurence. There are numerous drug references and scenes depicting people passing around illegal drugs but there are no sex scenes and there are no violent scenes. The film isn't frightening in a visual sense as such but it does cover some dark themes and is unsettling, due to the plot, at times. I suppose its more sad than scary really. The film has been given a 12 rating in the UK due to this.
Another word I'd use, in relation to this film, is sobering. It is a rather sobering watch but it isn't utterly depressing as such - perhaps more philosophical? I'm not sure how to explain that either, I'm afraid. I would, however, also add the term bittersweet.
I would highly recommend this film as I felt it was well handed, with an interesting plot, good cast and it covers some important themes. It is a bit unsettling and sad at times but it is also thought provoking and I found it to be quite engrossing/atmospheric, so I'd definitely recommend it.
This is film is my favorite film ever made...EVER. The acting is top notch with Paul Dano’s best performance, John Cusack pulls in a great performance, Elizabeth Banks knocks it out of the park and Paul Giamatti is great villain. the direction is on point, the cinematography is beautiful, and the sound design and editing is the stand out in this film. the marketing is a little off putting as it advertises this as a upbeat film when it is really a very dark film about Mental Illness but that doesn't lower the quality of this film at all. The only bad part it that is was SNUBBED. No Oscar nominations at all which is tragic. this is an amazing film and everyone needs to see it.
Don’t worry, baby: Pohlad’s biopic is reverent, duly, but also rich, clever, warm and sensitive. Banks and Giamatti provide anchor, Cusack impresses and Dano surfs to glory.
It’s creative and experimental in just the right spirit, though with an asymmetric flaw. The film is a kind of diptych in which one of the panels is more fully achieved than the other.
Accolades for Banks and Dano are a must! This is an unusual biographical film, but it works and it will let you gain access to the backstory of Pet Sounds and Brian Wilson.
Disappointing. Acting was very good, especially Paul Giamatti, but film often dragged for long stretches of time and the depressing elements trumped the interesting elements.
I had a hard time getting into, letting alone understanding, “Love and Mercy” and more than once during the first hour I wanted to bolt the theatre but I stayed and finally figured it all out!
While the bulk of the film is carried by John Cusack and Paul Dano, both as Brian Wilson, it is the performance by Elizabeth Banks that holds it all together. Dano is Brian during the late 60s and we see how he wrote the music that would become a thread in so many lives while Cusack plays Brian in the 1980s who came under the control of a manipulative shyster, Dr. Eugene Landy, played by Paul Giamatti, who just oozes evil, who was given all legal control of the musician’s life, though how is not really explained. Banks is Melinda Ledbetter who meets the latter Brian and sees the man he really is, who helps him get away from Landy and would eventually marry him.
This is not a play by the numbers Hollywood biography though there are many elements from the abused children angle to the real possibility of a man being easily dominated by another father figure. Yes there are the drugs, the high living, the ‘mad’ genius aspect but this is more of getting into the head of a songwriter and how and where the music comes from and into his descent into an unexplainable diagnosis as a paranoid schizophrenia with hearing voices and LSD which doesn’t help him.
There is no resemblance between Dano and Cusack nor do they ever move or talk the same but both are believable as being the same man. Many of Wilson’s hit songs are heard but not as in a concert but how they sprang from the man’s mind. One example is how much the difference of the sound between a father slapping his son so hard that the latter loses most of his hearing in that ear and a spanking can bring different tones to a song. Another prime example of what made Wilson such a perfect musician was his search for the exact sound of the cellists in “Good Vibrations”.
There is not a false movement by any of the cast and the direction by Bill Pohlad, with the screenplay by Oren Moverman and Michael Alan Lerner, take this far away from ‘just another musical Hollywood biography‘. The sound editing by Atticus Ross and the sound mixing by Edward Tise are works of perfection.
This is not an easy film to watch, get into and/or understand but it is worth the 2 hours of your life to watch it--and how many movies can you say that about?
A biopic not so different from the usual but more perceptive and pleasant, it is worth to understand that perhaps audiences will not have no idea who is Brian Wilson, even if they sound the name of the Beach Boys, but if you do not know this movie Is a good approach.
This is a well-made movie with good acting, but it wasn;t what I wanted to see. It;s really about mental illness and the downward spiral of the creative force of the Beach Boys. I wanted it to be more upbeat, at least in some parts, but it wan't. I wanted more music, but there wasn't. I wanted to be entertained and leave the theater smiling, but I couldn't.