Love & Mercy

I grew up with "The Beach Boys".  In 1964 they came on the scene with songs about Cars, Girls, and Dragging Main Street. My life was just like the movie, "American Graffiti".  The Beach Boys sung about things that I dwelled on: "I get Around" was my favorite song.  In 1965 they came to Tulsa for a concert but Brain Wilson was not touring with them. Glen Campbell subbed for him.  The official story was that he was sick, but he wanted to stay in the studio.

The Movie, "Love and Mercy" is the story of the Beach Boys but it is really the story of Brain Wilson.  The Beach Boys were 5 guys who were brothers and cousins. We saw them singing on TV but in reality, Brian wrote, arranged and produced the records and used studio musicians (The Wrecking Crew) to record the music and then the B-Boys would come in and sing.  They later would learn the songs to play out on tour.   The brothers loved the tours but hated the studio.

Throw in an abusive father, a controlling doctor, a few drugs (Prescribed by said doctor) and you have a unbelievable story.  This movie is more about the behind the scenes than the songs, but it covers in depth the making of the "Pet Sounds" album that is considered one of the best Rock and Roll a;bums in history.

This is a drama for those that like music, true stories and great acting.  Two actors were used to play Brian both young and old.  John Cusack and Paul Dano are great as is Elizabeth Banks who plays his rescuer and the  Paul Giamatti, his evil doctor.

This was a great birthday movie!

I give it *****star! Yes 5

2015 movie 28