Review of Love & Mercy (2015) by Shpostal — 20 Jun 2015

I was armed with a lot of biographical knowledge of the great Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys going in to see this movie, and hence was on the lookout for historical inaccuracies that tend to ruin so many biopics. To my relief and appreciation, "Love and Mercy" is very nearly perfect in its details, with little or no aberration from a story that needs none.

So, this movie is indeed an Oscar worthy film, especially for Paul Dano, who plays the young Brian brilliantly. Not to degrade John Cusack, who does a fine horribly mentally ill and abused late '80s Wilson and his struggle with Eugene Landy, a psychologist ultimately more sick than his patient, whom, the movie doesn't point out, tried to steal Wilson's composing royalties, altered his will and was bleeding Brian dry.

Like their song "Heroes and Villains" from the legendary "Smile", now happily out in all its majestic glory, the cast was indeed a polarizing one. Villains: Murray Wilson, the incredibly abusive father who hit Brian so hard on the side of the head that he (Brian) was very nearly deaf in his right ear, and preferred mono recordings because of it, Mike Love, one of the true clueless dicks in all rock music, and Landy himself.

"Pet Sounds", one of the greatest albums ever made in any genre in musical history, was typically panned by Love, who wanted to stay as a lame surfer, while the Beatles were taking music into new territory that would and did render such music worthless for decades before nostalgia rescued the best surf music. He was equally wrong about "Smile", only sang, never wrote a song or played an instrument, abused his wife, and was basically a leech on the back of his cousin. His one solo album sank like a rock. And lately after the remaining Beach Boys reunited to a successful tour and album, Love and his buddy Bruce Johnston pulled out. No great loss.

The other heroes were Carl Wilson, who always looked after his brother lovingly, and Wilson's wife, the former Melinda Ledbetter, who helped pull Brian away from the psychotic Landy with Carl's help.

The result was astonishing. Brian started recording again, touring like crazy, and released "Smile", first with his new band, a couple solo efforts, and then the original "Smile" that he had shelved on the eve of its release.

That he has recovered is a victory worth celebrating. He contributed a video live recording of "Love and Mercy" at films' end, and other music. He has a new album "No Pier Pressure" that is a wonderful optimistic piece of music in a mad world, and thanks to the stellar script and performances of "Love and Mercy" the movie, we see firsthand what a beautiful person we have in Brian Wilson, and rejoice that he has made such an amazing comeback. I also recommend his biography, "Catch A Wave", which goes into more detail. And for God's sake, if you don't own at least "Pet Sounds" and "Smile", go out right now and get them. They belong right next your Beatles albums, they're that good.