Release: Friday, June 5, 2015 (limited)
[Theater]
Written by: Oren Moverman; Michael Alan Lerner
Directed by: Bill Pohlad
Capturing the life of one of rock’n roll’s most luminous figures in The Beach Boys’ very own Brian Wilson poses obvious challenges. Painting broad strokes risks missing all those curious little imperfections, while delving into a day-in-the-life could yield a movie so large a mini-series event would seem a better format. There’s also the issue of casting the part.
Bill Pohlad’s love letter to the heyday of The Beach Boys phenomenon opts for the general specific, briefly opening a window into two different phases of Wilson’s colorful life, offering intimacy before slamming shut and locking forever once again. Despite aching with nostalgia Love & Mercy‘s potency actually stems from its uncanny ability to translate a simple cause and effect into an immersive experience. How Wilson’s young star (Paul Dano), brilliant but troubled, begets an aging, broken man (John Cusack), housebound and saddled with a routine that sees him less functional and more conforming. Some might describe it as a typical downfall, but typical isn’t the word I’d use to describe Wilson.
Pohlad might have gone the documentary or mini-series route, but then he’d have missed the opportunity to showcase Oscar-worthy performances from his leads, both of whom are clearly smitten by the chance to simultaneously dramatize this most peculiar musician. In the sixties, following the critical and commercial successes of albums like Surfin’ U.S.A. and Today!, Dano is magnetic. He becomes Wilson, dropping his trademark and quite contradictorily unsavory appeal in favor of an effusive personality tailored to fit the profile of musical genius. He’s pushing for a new Beach Boys sound as the band enters its eleventh studio album in Pet Sounds, a production that didn’t see the warmest reception on American shores due to its detouring into the . . . well, weird.
Love & Mercy provides ground-floor access into a studio that can’t hope to contain all the ideas young Brian Wilson, already fragile, has pouring out of him. But the story moves beyond those walls and into the eighties, embracing Cusack’s forty-something version, a character who, while representing a stark contrast from Dano’s, arguably is a more crucial component. Similar to young Brian’s often happenstance discovery of unique acoustics (the aforementioned 1966 release certainly hints at a memorable recording experience), older Brian’s stumbling into a car dealership has profound implications for his life post-Beach Boys.
Elizabeth Banks’ Melinda Ledbetter isn’t aware to whom she is potentially selling a Cadillac in an opening scene. Cusack is unabashedly sincere, playing a man mellowed almost to the point of self-denial, though he’s polite and charming. Melinda will be his saving grace, an oasis of beauty whose infatuation is reciprocated across a number of romantic escapades. In middle age, Brian has deteriorated considerably and is kept watch over by his suffocating psychotherapist, a Dr. Eugene Landy (Paul Giamatti, also fantastic). Supposedly the man is Brian’s legal guardian after the death of his father. As Melinda spends increasing amounts of time with Brian she realizes there is a great deal more to the story behind his darting eyes and weary smile.
Love & Mercy isn’t quite like its subject; it doesn’t exactly reshape the biopic if even subtly. There are tropes and there are predictable resolutions. Yet the two timelines complement one another so well the journey resonates on a much deeper level than average entertainment. Beyond superb performances from an engaging cast, Love & Mercy lives up to its title, offering up an abundance of both in its intense scrutiny of a figure many shouldn’t be blamed for assuming is a perpetually upbeat, satisfied human being. Melinda’s introduction is hardly a product of genius screenwriting but let’s not dismiss her as a product, period. Banks — as does Cusack — breathes life into her character, committing some of her finest work to date.
Pohlad’s fascination with the enigmatic also gives fans new context for some of The Beach Boys’ less recognizable tracks as well as those that have been played mercilessly over and again. We are privy to Wilson’s iconic vocals as much as we are to the tension he creates between his bandmates as his grip on reality slowly but surely loosens. Love & Mercy is as much an auditory sensation as it is visually arresting. Settings and wardrobe take us back several decades; tranquility eventually wins out over the disturbing, often painful psychological and emotional bruising. In many senses it is heartbreaking. Uplifting. Intoxicating. Bound to be a classic.
Brian Wilson’s cinematic treatment may never convince major theaters it’s worth their while but it won’t need to. Love & Mercy is a biopic gifted with a massive fan base already built in and, impressively, doubles as an eye-opening experience for general audiences as well as those leery of the California dream.
Recommendation: Love & Mercy isn’t a film just for fans of the legacy of Brian Wilson and/or The Beach Boys, though it’ll no doubt help elevate the experience. This is a profoundly touching experience, one that I couldn’t help becoming more enthusiastic about in the days following. It may not haunt you the same way it has me, but may I recommend this one on the strength of its performances at the very least. A very welcomed surprise in the middle of this summer blockbuster bash.
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 121 mins.
Quoted: “We’re not surfers, we never have been, and ‘real’ surfers don’t dig our music anyway!”
All content originally published and the reproduction elsewhere without the expressed written consent of the blog owner is prohibited.
Photo credits: http://www.impawards.com; http://www.imdb.com
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Ah excellent, I plan on seeing this one so it’s good to read such a positive review!
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Oh this one is so so good. I find that a lot of my favorite movies are ones I can connect with on a deeply emotional level and that qualification was met with Love & Mercy.
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Yeah that’s a big reason why I am so utterly in love with Magnolia too. That film just really makes a lot of sense to me.
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Ah! I saw a trailer for this somewhere recently and thought it looked like it was worth the watch, and you have confirmed that if I see this around I best get on it! Glad to see you liked it so much!
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It’s a wonderful little film I thought. Very interestingly told and incredibly well-acted. I think even those who find Paul Dano usually really creepy will be impressed with him here. Hope u get the chance to watch this.
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Sounds fascinating.
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If you were or still do consider yourself a fan of the Breach Boys I think Love & Mercy has a ton to offer. I quite enjoyed this, even going into it not expecting much. 🙂
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🙂
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Oh man, I’m gutted now that I missed this at MSPIFF!! The director Bill Pohlad is a great supporter of the arts here in town, he’s a major Hollywood producer too but sounds like this one is a labor of love for him. Great review, Tom!
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That is awesome, I am elated to hear of his support of local arts. Based on my impressions of his work here I really really hold him in high esteem. This movie was a beauty. A labor of love sums it up perfectly.
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8/8 that’s high praise indeed.
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It is man, and you know I prob could’ve dropped this to a 7 but it feels good to dish out another perfect score. Although maybe I’m doing it too much. Might be the fifth or sixth one this year…..
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Wow, awesome stuff. I’m a big fan of the Beach Boys and have long been intrigued by Wilson’s story. This sounds fantastic; brilliant review Tom.
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Thank you kindly Mark. 🙂
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It’s not often that we get to see Elizabeth Banks in a dramatic role. She’s outstanding. Paul Dano was great too.
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Apparently I’ve had a few comments stuck in ‘need approval’ mode. Sorry about that.
Yeah the cast in general was fantastic. Giamatti definitely hams it up in places but it was nice seeing him don the villain hat again. But agreed about Banks and Dano, they were the true stars. This was such a great movie.
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Bummer, this sounds really interesting, but it’ll almost definitely not screen here. I love any movie that revolves around music too. Hmph!
Love the way its written mate, as usual. You have a way with words that makes me want to read more. Good stuff 🙂
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Dude thanks a lot for that. 🙂 Really motivates me. I think it’s easy to go and write something when a movie has left such a strong impression on you. This was one of them. I absolutely adored this. I’m still thinking about it to this day.
With any luck it’ll get released down under. I’m hoping so, anyway, cuz I think you’ll find a lot to like too. We seem to have pretty similar tastes.
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It did screen, but very briefly. I guess I’ll wait til I can rent it. It really does sound like something I’d dig, and yeah we do have similar tastes for the most part.
And no worries mate!! Just speaking the truth, your blog probably the one I check the most often, though there are so many its hard to keep up!!
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Hmm. Great review, Tom! Wouldn’t have been a film I’d have really been interested in seeing before reading your review but now I think I’ll check it out someday! I do like Cusack & Banks (but Dano gives me the creeps). 🙂
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I can understand that. Thanks Mutey!
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Excellent write-up mate. First time I’ve heard about this, sounds like it’s a winner! We get it mid-July, I’ll keep my eyes peeled.
Adam.
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Thank you Adam!
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Great review, man! Was aware of this film but hadn’t any real interest until now. Paul Dano has a strange quality about him but I think he’s a fantastic, underrated actor.
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Thanks Fernando!
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