Powerful Story; Great Performances

Rating: 9/10 (26 August 2015)

I've been a Beach Boys fan all of my life, so I was eager to see Love and Mercy's tale of Brian Wilson's musical genius and descent into madness. I found the performances to be spot on. John Cusack, who in my opinion is one of the most underrated and under appreciated actors out there, disappears into the role of the older Brian. Cusack shows restraint in deftly depicting Brian's fear and desperation, as well as his view of life through almost childlike eyes as he succumbs to the control of his psychiatrist. Dano's performance is equally brilliant, displaying Brian's musical genius and his emotional unraveling in a compelling and moving way. Paul Giamatti seems a bit over the top as the controlling psychiatrist, and Elizabeth Banks, in her role as Melinda, is appealing but I felt the role could have been played by any number of actresses.
Some have criticized the film because Cusack and Dano do not physically resemble Brian Wilson. I completely disagree with this assessment. Both actors essentially become Wilson, capturing his emotions and mannerisms wonderfully and with the right amount of subtlety. I'm not sure why the film didn't receive much exposure, but it contains Oscar-worthy performances by Cusack and Dano and a story that will move you. If you don't know much about Brian Wilson, the scenes showing his creative process during the glory days of the Beach Boys will blow you away. Wilson's impact on music continues to be profound, and this film will introduce new generations to the genius who already has a secure legacy in music history.