Plot: What’s it about?
Having never been a huge fan of The Beach Boys, I can’t say I was looking forward to Love & Mercy. Their music isn’t bad, but there are plenty of other bands, especially from that era, that I’d rather listen to before them. To be fair, Mercy puts most its focus on only one member from the group, Brian Wilson. Paul Dano plays Wilson in the 1960’s while John Cusack plays him during the 80’s. I suppose the two look enough alike that it shouldn’t be too worrisome for many. It also helps that both actors do fine in the respective role. It doesn’t take long for us to realize Wilson’s ultimate goal: to create the greatest album of all time. We see many stages of Wilson’s life as he goes from a masterful hit songwriter to being something of a trainwreck.
During the 1980’s, Wilson is a broken man who becomes the victim of his abusive therapist Dr. Landy played by Paul Giamatti. A car saleswoman Melinda Ledbetter (Elizabeth Banks) becomes obsessed with trying to help Wilson, and break him away from Landy’s spell. If the premise sounds more than a little bizarre that’s because it is. Truthfully, the film is just a little too odd for my taste. Clearly, there is an audience for this type of film, but I’m not certain who that audience is. Hardcore Beach Boys fans might be disappointed that much of the focus is on Brian Wilson rather than the band, but I’m not certain how fact-based the film is, either. Not that films of this sort should act as documentaries, but this one lost me. I admire that it respects the mental illness aspect, and the performances are all solid, but the film left me unchanged.
Video: How’s it look?
Oh, how it’s nice to see a feature film fill the entire screen! Some time ago I became a snob of sorts and only liked my movies to be at 2.35:1 or greater. Why? I don’t know. But now that seemingly every movie is that wide, I long for the movies that actually make use of my HDTV. That being said, Love & Mercy looks pretty grand in its 1.78:1 AVC HD transfer. The movie makes use of a wide variety of film stock, but let me tell you – this is one colorful film. The blues and whites look strikingly good, detail is amazing (check out the wardrobes and the stripes and checkers on the Beach Boys’ shirts). Contrast is spot on and black levels are solid as a rock. This is an amazing-looking film.
Audio: How’s it sound?
I correctly assumed that any film based around music would and should sound good. It feels good to be right for a change! The included DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack simply fills the air with the sounds and songs of the surf. Those familiar with the Beach Boys’ songs will be treated to an array of them. Vocals are strong and solid, John Cusack’s raspy and low voice carries no distortion. Surrounds are used often and with great effect while the front stage compliments the mix. This is a very understated, yet very robust soundtrack.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Audio Commentary – Bill Pohlad, who served as the film’s Director and Producer, is joined by screenwriter and executive producer Oren Moverman. From the get go, it’s clear that these two have an obvious passion for the film and their work. It’s chock full of little antidotes as well as a sordid history on Wilson. For fans of the film, this is a must listen.
- A California Story: Creating the Look of Love & Mercy – A production features that shows some of the extremes the filmmakers went through to get that authentic look and feel conveyed in the movie.
- A-Side/B-Side: Portraying the Life of Brian Wilson – This is more of a photo album of sorts as we get plenty of old stills of Wilson and the Beach Boys. Actors John Cusack and Paul Dano tell of their preparation for the role as the iconic performer.
- Deleted Scenes – Four total with two of them being fairly long. I personally feel those two should have been placed in the film. Still, it’s nice to have them.
- Previews – Mr. Holmes, The Age of Adeline, Amy, Some Kind of Beautiful, and The Homesman.
The Bottom Line
While there may be a certain audience for this type of film, I’m not one of them. While not terrible, it left me unmoved. Performances are fine, and the accuracy to the 1960’s and 80’s eras is nice, but outside of that, it didn’t do much for me.
