Director: Bill Pohlad
Written By: Oran Moverman, Michael Alan Lerner
Starring: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti
This isn’t the first time I’ve said that 2015 gave us an inspired array of music-related exploration with impressive documentaries and movies. 2016 continues the form with the Home Entertainment release of Love & Mercy; an insightful look into the life of the legendary songwriter and modern-day genius Brian Wilson, one of the co-founders of the Beach Boys. If you’ve had an unusual detachment from reality and music existence, they’re the group behind some of the most unique songs in the 1960s that included the likes of God Only Knows, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Good Vibrations and numerous other superb songs.
Much like Aaron Sorkins’ Steve Jobs, the film is split but this time between two specific eras in Wilson’s life with his younger years and build up to the recording of Pet Sounds being portrayed by Paul Dano, and then John Cusack takes on Wilson’s later life during his turbulent relationship with Dr Eugene Landy (Paul Giamatti) and the meeting of Melinda Ledbetter, played by Elizabeth Banks.
We begin in the retro, happier and melodic moments of Brian Wilson and his friends as the film flips through old memories of the Beach Boys, with a montage of success and sounds. Paul Dano is perfect casting as the young Wilson and, quite literally, brings his own voice to the movie as we see him singing the songs we know so well and quite possibly also playing the odd piano part. Dano’s journey as the youthful Wilson is captivating and he proves again that his versatility is what makes him one of the finest young actors around. We connect with the character as we breathe in his struggle between wanting to make original music and trying to keep sane in unsettling successful surroundings. While starting optimistic with the Beach Boys doing well, it’s clear that Wilson wants more for the band and heavily desires creative exploration. He fully envelopes in the process of making new sounds, and although it’s against his Father’s wishes, he cannot (and thankfully does not) hold back in the eventual creation of Pet Sounds, an album now seen as one of the finest of all-time. Dano holds interest throughout and shows us Wilson at the peak of his powers in the studio, creating the album and offering up his soul through music. We also witness the early stages of self-doubt and panic, alongside slight psychological issues that later will be taken advantage of by the hugely dislikeable Dr Eugene Landy.
We learn of Landy in Wilson’s latter years once John Cusack’s part in affairs comes to light. This time in his life is post heavy weight gain and heavy drug use. It’ll turn out that Landy has become his personal manager but is – in fact – drugging Brian to keep him under his wing and trying to take advantage of his talents. Whilst many believed Wilson was being looked after, it emerges that Dr Landy was an abusive, violent man who was only involved for his own gain. Moving the story forward, Cusack’s Wilson is buying a car and meets Melinda Ledbetter, an independent woman and car sales worker who doesn’t make the connection of who Brian Wilson is but it is clear there’s a connection. Elizabeth Banks takes on this role and excels as his friend and lover, who ultimately helps bring him back from the depths and works out what’s happening. Both Cusack and Banks combine beautifully but it’s important to say that Ledbetter isn’t in it just because of his Beach Boys work, she really cares for him and Wilson believes she might help him come back to reality. It’s excellent casting and their character progression is perfect.
Although Love & Mercy flips back and forth between the two eras, Bill Pohlad’s direction and editorial style cleverly cut up between the two different ages and it is achieved seamlessly via the insightful script by Oren Moverman alongside Michael Alan Lerner. If you’re looking for an authentic examination into the life of a true modern legend, this film is the all-round package which consists of being poignant, troubling, celebratory and, importantly, completely fascinating.
Love & Mercy is available on Digital HD download now and on Blu-ray and DVD from 4th January 2016.
