Over the years much has been written about Brian Wilson, the
driving creative force behind the Beach Boys. In each and every one of those
items concerning Wilson the two things most discussed are the abusiveness of
his father and the controlling atmosphere created by his psychiatrist Eugene
Landy. There is no way to talk about Wilson’s life without discussing those two
facets of his life, but there was much more to the man, a creative energy that
brought about some of the most astounding music ever heard.
One thing that rarely gets mentioned is the fact that when
the Beach Boys were at their peak they were the premiere American band at the
time. Looking at the top 100 charts from the early 60s they were dominated by
what was called the British Invasion, led by the popularity of the Beatles.
While there were a few American bands around at the time, only the Beach Boys
would rival them on the charts.
LOVE & MERCY takes a look at the life and times of Brian
Wilson in a different way. It does discuss the two topics mentioned, no bio pic
could avoid those, but it takes a look at his creative side as well and what
brought it about. Rather than follow a linear path beginning at one point and
taking it through to the end, the movie jumps back and forth in time. It
focuses on what was perhaps the most daunting task Wilson faced in his career
and ends with where he is at today.
At the top of the charts, selling out records and concerts
alike, Brian (Paul Dano) finds himself needing to take a break from the road.
Having recently fired Wilson’s father from his management position (three
members of the band were sons of Murry Wilson: Carl, Dennis and Brian), Brian
wants to let his creative juices flow. The band agrees to his demand and goes
on tour of Tokyo with a replacement.
Left alone, Brian begins working on “Pet Sounds”, an album
that didn’t perform as well as the band’s previous efforts but now considered
one of the greatest albums of all times and noted by the Beatles as an
influence on their “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” LP. Spending most of
his time in the studio Brian brings together the top studio musicians of the
time, a group given the nickname the Wrecking Crew. Having played on nearly
every top album of the time the musicians have a respect for Brian, recognizing
his abilities and understanding of music.
Undiagnosed at the time Brian suffered from a mental
disorder known as paracusia or auditory hallucinations. The sounds he heard
running through his brain were what he tried to bring out in the LP he was
working on. Using everything from animal sounds to tympani to strings, Brian
Wilson combined these sounds to make a groundbreaking record unlike any heard
before and certifying himself in the pantheon of music as a genius. But in
doing so it took a toll on his mental health.
The band was unhappy with the results he brought to them.
They couldn’t find a hit among the songs he’d recorded. They felt he was just
making something for himself and not that they could wrap themselves around or
perform. Couple that with the drugs Wilson began taking and the mental issues
he had and something was bound to break. Unfortunately it was his mind. The
movie allows us to witness the slow disintegration of his mind, using more of
an aural display than a visual one to do so. The movie is filled with sound and
everything but the dialogue seems to be high in volume, perhaps allowing us to
relate to what Wilson was going through, what we are watching.
As I said, the movie jumps back and forth in time, taking us
to more recent years after Wilson suffered his nervous breakdown and was put in
the care of Dr. Eugene Landy (Paul Giamatti). Landy was able to bring Wilson
out of a 3 year stint where he lived in his bed but at the same time took so
much control over his life that Wilson could do nothing without his approval.
Wilson (now played by John Cusack) meets a car saleswoman named Melinda
Ledbetter (Elizabeth Banks) and the two fall in love. The only thing standing
in their way is Landy who realizes that in allowing Wilson to have someone
close to him means losing control, not just of Wilson but of his wealth as
well.
The back and forth could be confusing if not for the well
crafted script and directing on display here. It’s obvious that director Bill
Pohland has a love for the man and his music in the reverence that he treats
his subject. The same hold true for both actors portraying Wilson. Dano is
amazing to watch not only in the way he looks like Wilson but he’s able to
capture his sound while singing as well. The mannerisms that many of us know
from various footage of him in the past are captured by Dano as well as he
takes on bringing Wilson to life without making him a caricature at the same
time. Cusack gives us a different look at the same man, choosing not to take on
the look but displaying his acting chops by showing a man tormented yet in need
of direction at the same time.
In the end you’ll find yourself with a better understanding
of Brian Wilson when the film ends. You’ll also find yourself digging through
your music collection in search of those old Beach Boys albums/CDs to listen to
once again. The movie does both the band and Brian Wilson well here and is one
to enjoy on several levels.
Click here to order.
No comments:
Post a Comment