​FILMS

LOVE & MERCY

2015 review number 83:

Love & Mercy: (Drama): 81 out of 100: Let me begin this review by stating that I'm a huge fan of The Beach Boys. I have seen them perform live in concert once without Brian Wilson, another time with Brian Wilson at the helm and one concert with Brian Wilson performing solo. Not all reviews can be objective and this is a classic example of how one's interests can shape an opinion. 

 

There are two time periods within the story, one featuring Paul Dano as Brian Wilson in the 1960s and John Cusack portraying the tortured musical genius in the 1980s. The film begins with Brian Wilson in a car showroom meeting salesperson Melinda Ledbetter (Elizabeth Banks) for the first time, who later becomes his wife. The story moves back and forth between the two eras, ranging from the recreation of songs and Wilson's insecurities with performing live in the 1960s to the domineering, unethical guardianship of psychologist and psychotherapist Eugene Landy (Paul Giamatti) in the 1980s.

 

If you don't know much about Brian Wilson's life then you will be in for a fascinating time if you can deal with the time shifts. Some of the pacing might also frustrate viewers who are accustomed to modern film's fast cuts. It's a character piece which emphasises how an interesting, engaging story should be told. If you already know about Wilson's life story, there really isn't anything new you will learn but the storytelling and direction enable it to be fresh. The director, Bill Pohlad, occasionally resorts to melodrama but Wilson's troubled life which began with his father's abuse of him, lends itself to this style.

 

The recreation of the songs in concert, on film and in the recording studio is a mixture of actual recordings and actors performing. Dano does a splendid job of capturing the pain and frustration that Wilson goes through and his take on "God Only Knows" where he performs the vocals, is thrilling and breathtaking. The studio scenes with the shaky cameras give these moments a documentary feel. This is the perfect reason to resort to this technique, of which I'm not usually a fan. 

 

Cusack and Banks feed off each other in a mesmerising way. They embody the characters they portray to the point where we feel for their torment and struggles, both singularly and collectively. Cusack might not look like Wilson but he is adept at conveying the anguish he endures. Likewise, Banks shows how underrated she is as an actress by expressing a range of emotions that only quality actresses can achieve. Giamatti is brilliant as Wilson's guardian and never seems to deliver an unsatisfactory performance. He is one of America's leading character actors.

 

The production design deserves credit in providing a genuine feel for the 1960s. You will be taken back in time and feel that you're actually there, especially in the recording studio. The music is a definite highlight and composer Atticus Ross ensures that the compositions provide a legacy to Brian Wilson's music. Even if you're not a Wilson fan, you should appreciate how the music comes together in a recording studio.

 

Biopics are often tricky to make because they try to cover too much ground, skimming the surface when it comes to character development. Concentrating on two time periods, in this instance, allows the viewer to get to know the characters and become more involved in the story. 

 

Starring John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti

(120 minutes)

Parental advice: Coarse language, drug use and adult themes

Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, during the credits we see the real Brian Wilson perform "Love & Mercy" in concert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lioWzrpCtGQ (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Wednesday 17th June, 2015)

 

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