Review of Love & Mercy (2015) by Rick E — 11 Jun 2015

This movie is about Bryan Wilson, lead singer/songwriter of the Beach Boys so there was a good showing of Old Geezers Who Go To The Matinee alone; this was 'our' era after all. I mostly went because it started at the right time but boy o boy was I surprised.

This is a very serious and completely effective movie. The music, of course, is central but it is about Bryan Wilson's mental issues and the people who surrounded him. Pal Dano plays a young Bryan and John Cusack plays him as an adult.

Both deserve awards for these nearly faultless performances. Elizabeth Banks, an actor who has had her ups and downs, is terrific as the person who ultimately saves Bryan from the clutches of the psychologist played by Paul Giamatti.

I didn't see a single bad note in this movie although it is not all that easy to watch. If you were into the Beach Boys and music of that time you'll enjoy it. A very real movie so don't go expecting to rock and roll.