Movie Review – Love And Mercy

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2014 – Spoiler alerts. The songs are legendary, We Get Around, Sloop John B, Good Vibrations, etc., but the Beach Boys had a far from harmonious life behind their vocal harmonizing. The troubles were particularly terrible for the true genius of the family, Brian Wilson, who suffered depression as well as the effects of the medical and recreational drugs he was taking. Wrongly diagnosed as paranoid-schizophrenic, Wilson was kept off tours following his collapse due to anxiety attacks during one. He was often left in the studios, and expected to turn out more great music for the rest of the band who did the touring. Left to himself, Wilson could be happy, as seen in his interaction with session musicians in composing and trying out material for his brothers. The film shows Wilson’s life at two crucial times; n the mid 1960’s when his voices led to his isolation from the band who fed from his creativity, and his father stopped managing the group too. In these sequences Wilson is played by Paul Dano. In the 1980’s Wilson’s life got worse for him when he was trapped in the clutches of a 24/7 psychiatrist, Dr Eugene Landy, played by Paul Giamatti, who controlled Wilson’s relationships, sleep patterns, diet and every aspect of his life. Wilson’s only release from Landy’s Hell was in a blossoming relationship he developed with a used car sales girl with aspirations to be a model, Melinda Ledbetter, played by Elizabeth Banks. When Landy cut her off and refused to let her near Wilson, Melinda got the Wilson family to help expose Landy for malpractice and abuse of his patient. She later married Wilson who was well enough to launch an acclaimed solo career. Wilson himself is seen in concert over the film’s closing credits. An amazing film that keeps the music low key to focus on the spellbinding performances by Dano and Cusack, and supporting cast members too. Wilson suffered for his genius as many giants have done but he was trapped by highly manipulative individuals who used him to their own ends with only a working class heroine helping him find himself again. Great music, but after this film, it will never sound quite the same. Many people in the audience at the special screening where I watched this, organized by One In Four, have and still do face mental health issues and everyone agreed that this movie is one they can relate to, and most importantly, it sets love and hope high for a startlingly upbeat ending. Youtube The Beach Boys -The Sloop John B Arthur Chappell