Love & Mercy

[kevinknapman]

A compelling and slightly unconventional biopic that moves away from the usual A to B plotting of most films of this type by jumping between two distinct moments in the life of the troubled genius. So we have Paul Dano as the younger Brian, quitting touring to work obsessively on the challenging soundscapes of Pet Sounds while his mental state deteriorates and John Cusack as the older Brian, damaged and over-medicated by a controlling doctor who attempts to stifle his positive relationship with a younger woman.
Though this dual casting does take a little getting used to. Paul Dano is extraordinary and dominates the 60s set scenes though John Cusack's lack of physical resemblance to Wilson in the 80s era proves a little distracting at first (though admittedly preferable to having Dano in ageing make-up). Though you soon get used to it, he also feels occasionally like a support player in a film where Elizabeth Banks is the lead. Though she is very good, her more subtle performance contrasting quite nicely with Paul Giamatti's scenery chewing turn as Wilson's bewigged doctor.

The film is at it's best during the Pet Sounds sessions, with Dano brilliantly conveying the gifted musician who found a positive outlet for his obsessive perfectionism. There's something quite exhilarating about seeing and hearing a classic album slowly come together and certainly makes you want to revisit the original.
Of course the music as a whole is fantastic but extra kudos to Atticus Ross who takes on the daunting task of scoring the rest of the film. Though 'score' probably doesn't quite cover it as a description. It's more of a sound collage utilising different tracks by The Beach Boys to impressive effect.

Co-screenwriter Oren Moverman previously wrote the odd but fascinating Bob Dylan biopic I'm Not There, of which this is something of a spiritual cousin. It's not as arty or weird as that and director Bill Pohlad is no Todd Haynes but this is definitely a cut above most run of the mill music biopics.
It ends in a more conventional way with footage of the real Brian Wilson performing now. Though here the decision to do so, serves as a kind of triumphant resurgence for an artist who spent so long in the kinds of dark mental places few of us thankfully ever experience.

[Beate]

I was certainly never bored during this as the performances were outstanding and it was nice to hear some of the songs but while I appreciate that they also wanted to show that Wilson was a completely different person in the 80s, would giving them the same hair colour really have asked too much?
The 80s story also felt oversimplified, and a lot more credit was given to Ledbetter than other members of his family.

Still, 7.5/10

[yogi]

An interesting story, interestingly told. I especially like the soundtrack and the way it drifted in and out of fragments of the Beach Boys tunes.

I didn't really b*y John Cusack as 80s Brian Wilson, maybe it was his lack of physical resemblance or the fact I associate him with extremely cool and assured characters. But Paul Dano stole the show and is excellent as 60s Wilson slowly retreating from touring and the limelight into his mind and the studio. 7/10

[McG]

Like so many, I grew up with the sound of the Beach Boys but had absolutely no idea about Brian Wilson's story. This film definitely opened my eyes! Personally, I don't like to films which jump backwards and forwards all the time but it definitely highlighted the chaos of his life and therefore, it worked well as part of the story. I'm also surprised that it has taken this long for his story to be told.
It was great to see the final footage of Brian Wilson as he is now and the fact that he has come back to performing and recording.
Marks 6.5/10

[Beate]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... d-him.html

[McG]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... d-him.html

Great article, Beate! Thanks for link.

[panelwirer]

A very moving film, I have a relative with similar
issues and the struggles against medical opinion
were all too realistic.
Was a bit hard to see John Cusack as Brian but was a good
performance none the less.
Enjoyed the film.obviously the story wasn't this simple
but how else can u tell a lifestory in two hours.

[ladams888]

Saw this in Clapham Picturehouse last night. It was barely one third full which was a great shame as the film was excellent. I have always been a fan of the Beach Boys, but was never aware of their back story. I was completely unaware that Brian Wilson was the creative talent behind their songs; that he had a breakdown; that his father beat him or that he was being controlled by a Svengali-like doctor – nor was I aware that they weren’t surfers! So I learnt a lot from this film. The film was set in two time periods – the 60s and the 80s and swapped backwards and forwards between them. I didn’t find it at all confusing and the 60s parts really helped explain the background of the 80’s parts. The colour and slight graininess of the film was very reminiscent of a home movie (in the days before videotape or digital recordings) – it completely fooled my OH who mentioned that it was clever to intersperse actual footage of the Beach Boys into the film – nope, it was all new footage! I have been thinking a lot about the film and keep asking myself how I, as a fan, never knew anything about them. I have been doing a lot of reading today and it was interesting to note that Brian had little or no involvement in the film, but when he actually saw the it he mentioned that it was tough to watch, but it wasn’t as bad as his real life. Another interesting note – the two daughters who Brian was prevented from seeing by Landy are the “Wilson” part of Wilson Phillips. A thought-provoking and poignant film with a great soundtrack. 9/10

[stuartboy]

I'm afraid that I struggled with this. I know what Brian Wilson looks like, particularly nowadays, and I'm afraid I could only see John Cussack as John Cussack here. In fact if anything it was more like Forest Gump!
I wasn't that keen on the time-jumping that was going on either. It seems to be two different stories running simultaneously, both with the same theme. I did however think that the actual mental illness was well portrayed and I can see how this was reflected in a lot of the work that they produced.

Eugene Landy was a bad man.

A little bit overstretched and samey it must be said. Could have been a good 30 minutes shorter.

Overall - 6/10.

At last a film that I can actually give a rating to after a run of total clunkers from OurScreen.

Groovy music to really dig, man.

[kodreone]

Biopic of Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys.

Don't expect a happy go lucky film with Beach Boys songs, girls in bikini and surfers all around. This is the story of a troubled genius with serious mental health issues and his struggle through life. It is not an "easy" movie to watch and Bill Pohlad is able to bring all this mental conflict through the screen brilliantly.

Brilliant is the way the director brings to life the process of creation. Brian interacting with the musicians, with the studio and with himself and his inner demons to shape a cacophony into a piece of art.

Great acting from both young and old Brian Wilson (Paul Dano and John Cusak) and Paul Giamatti is brilliant as always.

I would not be surprised if this movie is the "not-mainstream" choice to be on the Oscars Best Picture list next winter, although it is a bit early to say and our friends at the academy are not always very... academic.

8/10