A lovely film of a miraculous recovery

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2016)

The most moving part of this film is the real Brian Wilson singing - in concert, as an older man - one of his most beautiful songs - Love and Mercy. When you think of how close to obliteration he once was, the performance is a miracle, and yes, a mercy. On first viewing of this film about Wilson's life, I didn't like it, but on second viewing, I've changed my mind. As the older Wilson, John Cusack doesn't resemble the young Wilson (a wonderful Paul Dano). But both actors capture Wilson's gentle, charming personality, and I warmed to Cusack. It's a very heavy role but the movie does hold together. The carefree early days and brilliant harmonies of the Beach Boys are beautifully portrayed, but the group is gradually tainted by drugs and money. The central two pincers for Wilson are his cruel father and his outspoken cousin, Mike Love. While both men initially push Wilson to do his best creatively, they fail to see their crushing effect on him. Like many young stars, without support, the ultra sensitive Wilson breaks down. Enter shonky psychiatrist Dr Eugene Landy (an outstanding Paul Giamatti) who keeps Wilson drugged up, and who becomes a power hungry monster, creepily controlling Wilson's every move. It's an unlikely stranger Wilson meets - the ultra cool and polite car saleswoman Melinda (an excellent Elizabeth Banks) who somehow disentangles Wilson from Landy's clutches, while loving him in a fantastically normal way.
You could not make up such a story. Dano conveys what a real gem Brian Wilson was and it's heartbreaking to think what Wilson could have done,0 had he got the right help and support as a young man.