Plot
In the 1960s, Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson struggles with emerging psychosis as he attempts to craft his avant-garde pop masterpiece. In the 1980s, he is a broken, confused man under the 24-hour watch of shady therapist Dr. Eugene Landy.
Release Year: 2014
Rating: 7.5/10 (578 voted)
Critic's Score: 80/100
Director: Bill Pohlad
Stars: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks
Storyline
In the 1960s, Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson struggles with emerging psychosis as he attempts to craft his avant-garde pop masterpiece. In the 1980s, he is a broken, confused man under the 24-hour watch of shady therapist Dr. Eugene Landy.
Writers: Oren Moverman, Michael A. Lerner
Cast: Elizabeth Banks -
Melinda Ledbetter
John Cusack -
Brian Wilson - older
Paul Dano -
Brian Wilson
Paul Giamatti -
Dr. Eugene Landy
Jake Abel -
Mike Love
Kenny Wormald -
Dennis Wilson
Joanna Going -
Audree Wilson
Dee Wallace -
Rosemary
Max Schneider -
Van Dyke Parks
Nikki Wright -
Hippy /
Doper
Graham Rogers -
Al Jardine
Tyson Ritter -
Hipster #1
Brett Davern -
Carl Wilson
Erin Darke -
Marilyn Wilson
Jonathan Slavin -
Phil Spector
Taglines:
The Life, Love and Genius of Brian Wilson
Trivia:
Paul Dano and John Cusack were Pohlad's first choices to play Brian Wilson. Responding to criticism over Cusack's physical likeness, Pohlad said that Cusack resembled Wilson during a very particular era of Wilson's life, specifically when he appeared in the 1995 documentary 'Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times'. See more »
User Review
Author:
Rating: 8/10
I saw this movie last night at the Elgin Theatre as part of the Toronto
International Film Festival(TIFF). The Elgin was a perfect setting, as
the theatre is built in an old fashioned and artistic way as probably
most of the theatres looked in the early 60s when the Beach Boys
started their careers. I almost wanted to cry when I came out of the
movie. Several things struck me most about the film. The character of
Dr. Eugene Landy was totally Gothic in his perverse behaviour, he was
truly scary to look at. In contrast, the relationship between Melinda
and Brian balanced the tension and eventually was able to be the
catalyst for Brian to break out of his virtual imprisonment with Landy.
I grew up in the 60s and loved all the songs from the Beach Boys. In
the 1990s I read a book about the band called "Heroes and Villains" by
Stephen Gaines. I had no idea, however, how abusive Brian's father had
been, not only physically but emotionally. The movie portrayed the
creative aspects of Brian's work in the studio and the working of his
imagination. Paul Giamatti did such a good job of playing the psycho
that this set me off for most of the movie. Melinda's ability to
recognize the genius and decency of Brian being the counterpoint. The
acting was excellent and you come away with the realization of the
great price that many artists have to pay to get their work out there!
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