Bill Pohlad releases the sessions of an icon into a beautiful non-traditional portrait.

Rating: 10/10 (23 January 2016)

It tells the parallel narrative of Brian Wilson (Dano) in the 60's during the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds era and Wilson (Cusack) in the 1980's with his unconditional state with psychotherapist Eugane Landy (Giamatti). It matches perfectly with the music, Wilson's mental state and his relationship with the band, his father to meeting Melinda (Banks) and his routines with Landy. The cinematography reflexes both eras with the respective cultures. Notably we see the music videos from the iconic discography replicated with Super 16mm which makes it warm and romantic, a contrast to the white and blue of the 80's era. The score by the contemporary respected film composer Atticus Ross also shines.
Paul Dano's performance as Brian Wilson is heartbreaking, he brilliantly captured the era and the producer Brian was. The scene with Dano singing God Only Knows is the entire highlight, a simple scene that completely satisfied my feeling to how music feels and the lyrics brings to the table. But it's also great to see John Cusack do decent at the same time, which I declare is one of his best. Banks gives a strong performance as Melinda who sees Wilson and wants him away from the manipulation of Landy who, Giamatti adds a unforgettable frightful unpredictably in his portrayal. Really tells you how Pet Sounds and SMiLE are extremely significant in music history and all because of Brian's state from the 60's. Bringing the strong accuracy of how the recording went on takes a music biopic to a whole new level than ever expected. It achieves to good and warmth of the vibrations and classed as one of the most important music film of modern times. Bill Pohlad releases the sessions of an icon into a beautiful non-traditional portrait. ***** It's in my list of best films of 2015. Which spot? You have to find out after the Oscars.