Love & Mercy [DVD + Digital]

I am very biased when it comes to the Beach Boys. I discovered their music when I was very young and went to see them in concert when I was 10 years old as the first concert I really wanted to attend. It happened to be at a venue with a hotel attached and the next morning I was up very early and went down to play Pac-Man before my parents woke up. It was a sit-down machine that had controls on both sides and a guy came up and asked if he could play, he put down a bunch of quarters and I looked up and noticed it was Bruce Johnston, the guy that replaced Brian. After a bit some of the other guys came to get Bruce and asked how I liked the show. I was totally in awe.While I have never had a chance to meet Brian Wilson his music has always had an impact on my life. I loved the good-times songs but I also loved the Pet Sounds sound just as much as I loved the Beatles from an early age. I had read about Brian's breakdown and bits and pieces of the story on his climb out of depression into a situation that might have been even worse with Dr. Euguene Landy controlling his life and over-medicating him.This movie covers the dark, trying times of Brian Wilson interweaving two periods of his life together with excellent results. Paul Dano gives an incredible look into the young Brian and John Cusak exceeded my expectations as the older Brian. You get to see scenes of Brian in the recording studio that are nothing short of breathtaking as you get an idea of what his process was of getting the music out of his head and onto magnetic tape.The story presented, I believe, does an excellent job of portraying Brian's descent into his mental issues as a young man without going over the top. Some people may find a lot of the movie hard to watch as so much of the Beach Boys music is about happy sun-filled days, girls and fast cars and Brian's life was anything but happy and carefree. Paul Giamatti portrays Dr. Landy in such a way that you know he's the bad guy from the moment he walks onto the screen.Elizabeth Banks plays Melinda Ledbetter, the woman that Brian would fall in love with and the one that would be instrumental at getting him out of the controlling situation he was in. It is through her eyes we see the older Brian and get perspective on what he has had to endure.There are scenes that will make you cringe as you watch them with Brian being abused both verbally and physically by his father and then Dr. Landy, the man he thought was trying to help him. When John Cusak, as the older Brian, tells the story of how his hearing in one ear is almost gone because his dad used to hit him so hard in such a matter-of-fact way it is truly heartbreaking. The movie ends with concert footage of Brian Wilson from the present day singing his song "Love and Mercy" which was the perfect way to end it.Overall I thought this was a near-perfect movie about Brian Wilson. If you're looking for a movie full of girls and beach scenes you'll want to look elsewhere but if you are willing to delve into the darker side of a musical genius you will be rewarded.After seeing this movie all I wanted to do was send some good thoughts and vibrations out to Brian Wilson. I doubt he'll ever read this review but on the off chance I just want to say thank you, brother, for the music and we love you!

I had known the story of Brian Wilson but didn't know the full extent of it until I saw this movie. From a technical aspect, Love and Mercy presented Wilson's musical genius and metal issues in ways that I don't think have been captured on film before. The way they were presented gave a grounded, relatable feel to the movie.I was a bit nervous going into his movie with the knowledge that it takes place in two time periods with two different actors portraying Wilson. A lot of times this can derail of movie and take the audience out of it. I was blown away how well with was done in the movie and the switch between time periods were seemless.Extra points go to Paul Dano for nailing Wilson's look, mannerisms, and voice (yes, that's Paul signing in parts of the movie)! WOW!

If this story is accurate, all of Heaven and Earth owe a debt of gratitude to Melinda Wilson and to Carl Wilson for believing in her and Brian. It seems to me that Heavenly bodies speak through Brian, and Earthly bodies remember Heaven through Brian's ability to communicate the messages that speak to our souls. It's not always easy being the messenger apparently, but I for one, am grateful. A special "gift" of instinct or sight (or in Brian's case, sound) isn't always easy to live with, as was brilliantly shown in this film.I guess that's not a movie "review" per se, but I hope it will be interpreted as a compliment since it's rare that a film moves me in such a way that makes me truly pensive about the wild ride of life and it's mysteries.Excellent work by the entire cast and support crew.

As amply pointed out in many reviews, this film is like two movies in one. In the first “movie” we get to see the young and talented Brian Wilson, portrayed very convincingly by Paul Dano. In my opinion – as a musician and collector of music related bio-pics – Dano is involved with some of the most convincing scenes of recreated music performances on film. I don’t know if the studio scenes, and other performance scenes, were performed live on tape by real musicians, but it sure comes across that way. One of my pet peeves is to see music related movies with actors who obviously are not only not playing their instrument, but can’t even fake it with the music. Anyway, I digress . . . the studio scenes were very authentic.The second “movie” in this film is of Brian Wilson and his challenges with mental health. In no way should we demean those that suffer with these types of issues, but at the same time this would seem like a “tricky” subject to include in a film. From an entertainment standpoint, there should be a “payoff” for taking the viewer through this experience. To that end, John Cusack is a fine actor, but I didn’t buy him in this role. Also a challenge to believe was character actor Paul Giamatti’s portrayal of the therapist. Very close to the release of this movie was “Straight Out of Compton” in which Giamatti had a major role. I remember thinking at the time that this guy must be making the bio-pic rounds, and my “suspension of reality” while watching this film was distracted. Bottom-line, the pacing of this second “movie” seemed inconsistent and cliché.Brian Wilson fans will probably appreciate this film more than the casual viewer. With that said, it’s worth a view, if nothing else, for the music and Paul Dano’s portrayal. I felt the Love during the first half of this film, but needed some Mercy during the second half!

If you have a heart in you this story will tug at it's strings. Both actors equally well portray the inner sufferings that Brian Wilson went through at the hands of an abusive father and an abusive controlling so called Doctor. The two sadistic, controlling, wannabes seeking to belittle and eliminate any self belief and independence Brian should have gained through his music.I thank God for Brian stopping by to look at a car in a showroom. Had he not met the car sales lady, Melinda Ledbetter, Brian Wilson may have met an early grave and been crushed beyond recognition on the way to it.The Barbeque scenes were played exceptionally well and made you want to drag the bullying Psycho-ciatrist out of Brian Wilson's face.John Cusack and Paul Dano captured through facial expression, body language and tone of voice the inner-struggle and confusion Brian lived with.I had no idea Brian had suffered so. No wonder he had a breakdown.All round good acting. Singing side was good too. I would recommend this film.

Bought for presents for two beach boy fans, having watched the film several times myself.Extremely well received.This film works at many levels, including the genius behind the recording of Pet Sounds and a sample of the work of the fabulous wrecking crew.There is romance, and intrigue.John Cusak should have received an award for his portrayal of the great Brian Wilson in his older years.I love Pet Sounds iconic in its time, and this film has been made with love and respect.

A superb sympathetic film examining the life of the legendary songwriter Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. The film takes us through the early days of the talented Wilson brothers and their rise to fame assisted by the controlling father. Examines how Brian while the driving force and song writer decides touring and the groups musical direction is not where he wants them to go. While the band continue touring Brian remains at home composing some classic tracks which bring tension with his father and band members. The family feud means Brian dabbles in drugs and becomes under the controlling interest of a scheming businessman and his personality changes for the worse. Brian's meting with a sexy car saleswoman gradually ensures he is released from the clutches of the controlling influences. Sound track throughout is a real masterpiece. Highly recommend the film to all music lovers.

Fabulous. The story of Brian Wilson and the Beachboys' huge success. If you liked (loved?) their music, then you really must watch this extraordinary film based on the true story of Brian Wilson's life and the huge pain he endured with nasty surrounding individuals who were supposedly helping him get through his serious mental problems. To be honest, even if you didn't like their music this is a must - beautifully cast with Paul Dano as the younger Brian and John Cusack as the older Brian - it is a superbly made film.

Being a huge Beach Boys and Brian Wilson fan I thoroughly enjoyed the Love and Mercy DVD. Paul Dano, in particular, as the younger Brian Wilson was excellent and the likeness was incredible! Some of the reconstructed scenes that I have already seen in early Beach Boys footage around the Pet Sounds and Smile era was amazingly accurate. This DVD is well worth a view.