solemn but inspired

Rating: 9/10 (2 December 2015)

Two important periods in Beach Boys member Brian Wilson's career are depicted in the 2014 biopic, Love & Mercy: the 1960s recording of the album Pet Sounds, and the 1980s struggle in the midst emotional abuse. 60s Wilson is played by a solemn but inspired Paul Dano and 80s Wilson by a demoralized John Cusack. Director Pohlad transitions back and forth between decades gracefully and the editing is seamless. The several jumps between decades were not distracting, nor were they hard to follow.
Cinematography is simple and effective. Award-winning cinematographer Robert Yeoman is a master of simple shots, as evidenced by his work on every live action Wes Anderson film. Director Pohlad, on the other hand, is not as experienced as a director and for the past two decades or so has been producing films such as Brokeback Mountain (2005), Into the Wild (2007), and 12 Years a Slave (2013). In his second film as director (Pohlad directed an unreleased film in the 90s), Brian Wilson's experience recording ultra-successful album Pet Sounds is chronicled, while also showing the aftermath and later life.
Dano delivers a beautiful and passionate performance as a young Wilson. I thoroughly enjoyed the acting through the panic attacks, hallucinations, and euphoria. I love that some of the shots mimic photos of the real Brian Wilson in the recording studio, right down to the color of their shirts. The opening montage appears to be straight out of the archives with shaky and grainy early film filters applied. It was strange seeing modern day actors through such a lens, because it was so authentic looking.
Cusack's grim and honest depiction of middle-aged Wilson is stunning. During this time period, Wilson is struggling to gain his freedom from his abusive psychotherapist, Dr. Eugene Landy, played by Paul Giamatti. A quick Google search on Landy reveals phrases like "Quack doctor almost destroyed Brian Wilson's career", "Still haunted", and "ethical violations".
I love this film and how the actors portray desperation, compassion, and inner turmoil so well. Despite the tragedy of abuse, the film is still hopeful and bright. Brian Wilson himself commented on the events saying they were "very factual".