‘Love & Mercy’ Review
Behind the laid back 1960s surfin’ and “fun fun fun” image of The Beach Boys — sometimes posited as the American rivals to The Beatles — was the genius singer/songwriter Brian Wilson, whose ear for music and musical innovation has few equals in pop music history. His use of harmonies and instrumentation and experimentation was groundbreaking for its time — but his success came at an extraordinary personal cost. He created one of the greatest concept albums of all time, “Pet Sounds,” in 1966, but when he tried to up the ante for his next album, everything fell apart. “Love & Mercy” presents an unconventional portrait of the iconic Wilson — portrayed by two actors, Paul Dano in the 60s, at the peak of The Beach Boys’ fame but when Wilson is already beginning to spiral downward, and John Cusack in the 80s, as Wilson comes out of his mental breakdown and depression and reclaims his life. The film jumps back and forth between the two eras, a conceit that put off many viewers — though, by now, this time-shifting has become old hat in modern cinema. Dano is superb as the young Wilson, nailing his mannerisms and moves just so, while Cusack immerses himself in the coming-out-of-breakdown Wilson, imbuing that version of the singer-songwriter with a vulnerability that is astounding. Paul Giamatti tears the scenery as Wilson’s sinister guru and Elizabeth Banks is perfect as Wilson’s 1980s wife to be. And then there’s the awesome music. Don’t miss this.Vitals: Director: Bill Pohlad. Stars: Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Elizabeth Banks, John Cusack, Kenny Wormald, Joanna Going, Jake Abel, Dee Wallace. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 122 min., Drama, Box office gross: $11.790 million, Roadside Attractions/Lionsgate. Extras: “A California Story: Creating the Look of Love & Mercy” featurette, “A-Side/B-Side: Portraying the Life of Brian Wilson” featurette, deleted scenes, audio commentary with director-producer Bill Pohlad and executive producer/co-writer Oren Moverman. 
