The rock biopic has a very traditional and boring format, including the scene where, at the height of their troubles, the protagonist writes their most famous song from bitter personal experience, and ending with the claim at the credits that the hero, in real life, ended up universally loved and admired. 'Love and Mercy', based on the life of Beach Boy Brian Wilson, has the ending, but is otherwise much more interesting. Wilson had serious issues with his mental health, not helped by a heartless father, band mates who didn't understand his musical direction, and an abusive therapist. He also constructed the often ground-breaking arrangements of his songs not by jamming with a group, but by composing them entirely within his head. What was it like to be Brian Wilson? The movie actually does quite a good job of suggesting an answer. It helps that, while John Cusack (playing Brian in middle age), looks nothing like him, Paul Dano (playing the younger man) is a dead ringer. While undoubtedly complementary to its subject, 'Love and Mercy' is a proper movie, not just fan-service; and this rises far above the majority of films in its genre.
Review of Love & Mercy
