Love & Mercy

We all know the music, but few know the true story musical genius, Brian Wilson and his struggles with brilliance and balance. LOVE & MERCY paints an unconventional portrait of the artist by interweaving seminal moments from his youth and later life, as it explores how Brian came to be who he is today.

The role of Brian Wilson is masterfully shared between Paul Dano as the younger, 1960s Brian; and John Cusack as Wilson in the 1980s. The film explores the many challenges Brian has faced, both from his point of view in his younger years; and from the perspective of his now wife, Melinda (Banks) who meets Brian in his 40s and under the questionable medical care of Dr. Eugene Landy (Giamatti). The Beach Boys were already experiencing chart topping success with Surfin’ Safari, I Get Around, Help Me Rhonda, California Girls and Good Vibrations when Brian found himself driven to move in a new musical direction. Whilst this would ultimately lead to the creation of what is widely ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time – Pet Sounds – and songs like Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Sloop John B and God Only Knows; it also lead to the band breaking up and Brian breaking down.

Critic Reviews:

• " Love & Mercy is one of the most convincing depictions of the creative process and the effects of mental illness I've seen in a long time. " – Max Weiss

• " It's bittersweet and melancholic, always captivating, holding the irrefutable truth of a pop lyric. " – Cormac O'Brien

• " That so much of it rings true is a credit to the film-makers; that Wilson lived some (if not all) of it is a reminder of his matchless alchemical magic. " – Mark Kermode