LOVE AND MERCY
US, 2014, 122 minutes, Colour.
John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti, Bill Camp.
Directed by Bill Pohlad.
Love and Mercy is the title of music by Brian Wilson, one of the original Beach Boys, composing many of their songs, sometimes performing them.
At this stage of his career, Wilson is portrayed by Paul Dano, always an idiosyncratic actor but here relishing the opportunity for performance, a man on the edge, singing but not wanting to tour, composing songs, comfortable in playing with a studio orchestra, encouraging their improvising, but wanting to compose serious music.
The older Wilson is played by John Cusack, an interesting performance, initially appearing quite normal but also with some oddities. We are introduced to him as he tries to buy a luxury car, fascinated by the woman selling the car, his future wife, Melinda, played by Elizabeth Banks. However, it soon emerges that he has had mental illness difficulties, is under the very strict supervision of psychologist Dr Eugene Landry, Paul Giamatti) whose diagnosis is paranoid schizophrenia.
The structure of the film moves from one time period to the other and back again, the experience of the younger Brian Wilson throwing light on his later experiences. Wilson has a sense of responsibility for his brothers, being the oldest. But he also has very strong issues with his father, whose strict attitudes have not encouraged Brian with a good self-image. There are scenes with his father, his father putting him down, especially listening to the composition of one of his songs and, later, selling the copyright to all Brian songs.
The later part of the film has a courtship between Brian and Melinda, their falling in love, but Brian always cautious and the doctor continually intruding, wanting reports of all activities. Ultimately, this is too much and Melinda moves in bringing Brian out of the shadow of the doctor who does not hesitate to enter a vicious and vigourous fight, targeting Melinda.
At the end of the film, there is a resume of what happened to Brian Wilson after this, especially his marriage to Melinda, his acknowledgement of the help of his first wife, and his relationship with all his children. He is also seen as being successful in composing his music, performing it in 2004, and being considered a significant figure in the development of American music.
1. The story of Brian Wilson? His music? His mental illness? His overcoming problems? Achievement? His work with the Beach Boys, composing so many songs?
2. Audience knowledge of Brian Wilson? The popularity of the songs, the rhythms and the beat? The illustration of the different songs, the beach bingo type of background, Fun, Fun, Fun? His mental illness and its effect? His recovery?
3. The structure and the two time periods in Brian Wilson’s life? Paul Dano as the younger Brian? Appearance, manner, eccentric, the introduction and the voices behind the credits, the music in his head, compositions, the songs are his brothers, he is joining in performance and enjoying it? Not travelling on tour, not to Tokyo? The bond with his brothers, being the older and protecting them? The story of their mother and her drinking? The father, his severity, especially with Brian, his listening to Brian’s song and his disdain, undercutting reputation? Physical brutality? His still wanting a family? The scene where he tells Brian that he had sold the rights to all the music? The harsh influence on their lives?
4. The portrait of the older Brian Wilson? John Cusack’s performance? Going into the car sales, the encounter with Melinda, the attraction, sitting in the car, the discussion, explanation about himself and the bodyguards, the attraction to Melinda, wanting to buy that car? Eugene Landy and his legal protection and custody of Brian? Depriving him of his rights? The others in the entourage, bodyguards, the role of Brian’s brothers? Landy his diagnosis, paranoid schizophrenia, the medications, the control and domination, friends having to report all activities? The consequences for Brian? Three years in bed? Hearing voices? Lacking self-esteem? Memories of his father? His ambitions for his music?
5. Melinda, mention of her career, as a model, selling cars, a good relationship with the boss and his helping her? Brian, the sale, the puzzle, attracted, going out, the discussions, learning more about him, the bond, liking him, loving him? Land will y and his dominance, demanding that she report everything to him? Her helping Brian with his decisions, to cope, falling in love? Landy’s hold over Brian, Melinda not seeing him, his coming again, renewing the relationship? The taking stands? Helping Brian, the legal aspects, Landy and his coming to the car sales, his severe outbursts, abuse of Melinda?
6. The later information that his licence was lost, forbidden to have any influence on Brian? His character, motivations, diagnosis, the scenes of care, his manipulation and being demanding?
7. Brian, his music, his brothers, writing the songs, hearing the music in his mind, testing his song with his father, the details of his composition of the song? His being at home in studios, liking the musicians there, the melodies, the various keys, the instruments, the improvisation? The quality of his compositions? His working on his album over the years?
8. The effect of his illness, withdrawn, the issue of his voices?
9. Brian and his revival, Land willy out his life, marrying Melinda, memories of his marriage to Marilyn and the good that she did, his daughters? Marrying Melinda and living with her and the children, happiness, into the 21st century?
10. The credits, Brian Wilson performing, information about his achievement, by 2004, acknowledging his genius?
11. How well did the film work as a biopic, portrait of Brian Wilson, mental illness and its effect, a love story, US music story?
