LOVE AND MERCY
PG-13
120 Minutes
Director: Bill Pohland
Writer: Oren Moverman
CAST John Cusack...Brain Wilson
Paul Dano...Brian Wilson
Elizabeth Banks...Melinda Ledbetter
Paul Giamatti...Dr. Eugene Landy
BRIAN WILSON: WEIRDO OR LUNATIC, A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS
When I think of the Beach Boys, I think of them doing that song for the PROBLEM CHILD soundtrack. You know, the one where John 'DUI' Stamos plays drums. But the Beach Boys cameo appearance on FULL HOUSE also comes to mind...no, wait...they where on there twice...no, thrice. First, as themselves, in BEACH BOY BINGO. Secondly, when Uncle Jesse got married. And lastly, as backup vocalists; when Jesse did a cover of the Beach Boys song, FOREVER (yes, that is a cover song... no, I don't know why Stamos can't write his own songs).
CHARACTERS AND ACTORS
Paul Giamatti really knows how to play a little shit...perfectly. Kind of like Jeremy Piven, except one of these guys is a legitimate actor, who didn't need bad hair plugs.
John Cusack played the older Brian Wilson, and Paul Dano played the younger version. This may not be much of a shocker, but the Paul Dano parts were better than the Cusack parts. But surprisingly, John Cusack was still tolerable. Because none of his films of the last 12 years haven't come close to the vicinity of tolerable.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
I had many questions about the Beach Boys, before I saw the film. And some of those questions had answers, such as:
Did Mike Love always wear a hat?
Yes, but he didn't always wear a hat embroidered with 'The Beach Boys' on it.
Are the Beach Boys a good band?
From a technical standpoint, it's hard to argue the Beach Boys made bad songs. That said, for the most part, their music isn't for me. I do like a few of their songs. And for those of you that hate the Beach Boys, don't worry (baby), the soundtrack consists of more than Beach Boys songs.
Do I understand PET SOUNDS now?
No, I still don't understand PET SOUNDS. And now, I have even more questions about the album.
So John Cusack is appearing in movies with theatrical releases now?
Yes, and no. Yes, LOVE AND MERCY is ONE movie with a wide release. Movies, in the plural sense, means more than one. And I don't think we should be getting ahead of ourselves.
Final Verdict: 90 out of 100