Beach Boys Love.

Rating: 10/10 (30 September 2015)

Love and Mercy (2014): Dir: Bill Pohlad / Cast: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti, Joanna Going: Stunning bio pic that transcends hope in the face of life long trauma. It is the story of Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson and his struggle with depression and drugs. Director Bill Pohlad divides the screenplay between past and present, even including actual footage of Wilson himself performing. John Cusack plays the modern Wilson who meets his future wife Melinda Ledbetter who works at a car dealership. She is intrigued by his innocence as he attempts to communicate and conceal his shortcomings. Paul Dano plays Wilson in the past who struggled with drugs and seems to be isolating himself from everyone. His band mates can only stand by as he takes months to create an odd musical piece. Elizabeth Banks plays off the strong will of Melinda who is finding Wilson's condition overwhelming yet still desires to help him and be part of his life. She finds opposition in his therapist who constantly berates him publicly while ordering her to stay away. Paul Giamatti plays this ruthless individual and it seems like typecasting when factoring in similar performances but this is the reality of a control freak bent on breaking one's spirit. All of the classic Beach Boys songs are featured as well as sessions with the band that are well past irritated with Wilson's outbursts. This is an observant film crafted visually within the mind of its subject. The result is a film that showcases the spotlight and the corruption that can emerge but also the love and mercy that can break through. Score: 10 / 10