Love & Mercy

Name: Love & Mercy
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Released: June 5, 2015
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Elizabeth Banks, John Cusack, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti

2015

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 144 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 144 Ratings

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Love & Mercy

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Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: June 5, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Elizabeth Banks, John Cusack, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti

Summary: A chronicle of reclusive Beach Boys songwriter and musician Brian Wilson's life, from his successes with highly-influential orchestral pop albums to his nervous breakdown and subsequent encounter with controversial therapist Dr. Eugene Landy.

Director: Bill Pohlad

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Music

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 121 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Mick LaSalle

Jun 4, 2015

Love & Mercy captures with striking immediacy the unbound power of the artist in his element. Read full review

100

Drew McWeeny

Sep 13, 2014

In essence, we get to study Brian's break with sanity and his eventual healing, but by keeping the focus tight on these two moments, the film becomes emotionally exhilarating. Read full review

Steven Rea

Jun 5, 2015

Its daring dive into the mind of Brian Wilson feels right. God only knows (to borrow a Pet Sound song title or two), but you still believe in . . . Brian. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Sep 13, 2014

It’s creative and experimental in just the right spirit, though with an asymmetric flaw. The film is a kind of diptych in which one of the panels is more fully achieved than the other. Read full review

Kevin Harley

Jul 6, 2015

Don’t worry, baby: Pohlad’s biopic is reverent, duly, but also rich, clever, warm and sensitive. Banks and Giamatti provide anchor, Cusack impresses and Dano surfs to glory. Read full review

Ty Burr

Jun 4, 2015

Despite the lumps in the batter, Love & Mercy ends up involving and affecting, because the performances are honest and the stories it tells are inherently dramatic. Read full review

Christopher Gray

Jun 1, 2015

Bill Pohlad seems never to have met a metaphor he couldn't bludgeon into its most rudimentary and literal interpretation. Read full review

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User Reviews

irmdog

Jun 21, 2015

This movie has Oscar written all over it, I have been singing Beach Boy songs nonstop since watching this movie. I cried at least 5 times during this movie, extremely well done, I highly recommend it.

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

DawdlingPoet

Nov 20, 2021

This is a biographic music based drama, which includes/covers themes including psychotherapy, songwriting, therapy, self worth, mental health and trust. It is quite an atmospheric film from early on - I found myself feeling quite sorry for Brian, played by Paul Dano in the 1960s scenes. IThis is a biographic music based drama, which includes/covers themes including psychotherapy, songwriting, therapy, self worth, mental health and trust. It is quite an atmospheric film from early on - I found myself feeling quite sorry for Brian, played by Paul Dano in the 1960s scenes. I should say early on that it doesn't shy away from the obviously quite big issues covered, so its quite an emotional watch. When I was young, my dad used to play the Beach Boys songs on a cassette tape in the car, when the two of us would go in to town, or to the country to ride my bike but in any case, I have fond memories of listening to their songs, such as Barbara-Anne, God Only Knows and so on. I have anxiety - I'm obviously not going to claim to have had issues on near the same level as Mr. Wilson has but I definitely did find myself re-thinking the meaning behind some of his songwriting work, such as the lyrics to 'God Only Knows'. It can come across as quite a dreamy love song but I can clearly see that he must have been in a dark place to have written such lyrics (look them up via Google if necessary). I could relate to his seeking solace in working on writing, as I also write sometimes in a sort of a therapeutic capacity but I suppose thats somewhat irrelevant.

I found it a very engrossing film, with different characters responding to Wilson's demeanour in various ways. Its quite unsettling at times, even perhaps a little spooky, although I'm not sure if thats the best way to word it but im not sure how else to. It gives an insight in to a clearly rather fragile mans life and may make the viewer wonder about how people (in terms of society back in the 60s-80s) overlooked those with such issues.

Cast wise, as mentioned Paul Dano plays Brian Wilson in the 1960s. He looks very much the part of a creative daydreaming young pop star type - clearly feeling a bit overwhelmed, anxious and depressed at times but not entirely wanting it to be known. As time moves on, you can clearly see the anguish on his face, as he tries to speak up, to have his feelings listened to via his music, although the consensus isn't greatly in favour of it after not so long. Meanwhile, in the 1980s, he's depicted by John Cusak, who I felt also did very well at showing him as a more weary, quieter and less socially engaged adult Brian Wilson. Another main character in the film is Melinda Ledbetter, a new friend Brian makes in the 1980s and who is played by Elizabeth Banks. She seems very caring and friendly and also concerned for Brians welfare. Meanwhile, the therapist, Dr. Eugene Landy, is played by Paul Giamatti. I found myself feeling quite uncomfortable while watching scenes with him in it, due to the way he responds to Brian, his harshness at times. He seems a somewhat manipulative type but I won't say much more, so as not to potentially give any spoilers.

Obviously, most of the music (if not all of the music) played in this film is that of The Beach Boys, so pretty mid-tempo 1960s vocal harmony/pop music. When I was growing up as a teenager in the 1990s, my favourite group were the Backstreet Boys, which, when I think about it, their music was a bit similar in terms of some of the mid tempo songs. If I remember right, they performed at an event for Brian Wilsons birthday back around about 2004 or thereabouts. Suffice to say the music is generally quite uplifting, even though its ironic given Brians issues.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, I found it quite a thought provoking film. It is quite relevant in a number of ways, not least the aspect of how fickle the music industry was and, I have little doubt, still is plus the social commentary aspects.

Content wise, the film contains some strong language (not especially graphic, perhaps moderate language may be more accurate term?) on a few instances, although its far from a regular occurence. There are numerous drug references and scenes depicting people passing around illegal drugs but there are no sex scenes and there are no violent scenes. The film isn't frightening in a visual sense as such but it does cover some dark themes and is unsettling, due to the plot, at times. I suppose its more sad than scary really. The film has been given a 12 rating in the UK due to this.

Another word I'd use, in relation to this film, is sobering. It is a rather sobering watch but it isn't utterly depressing as such - perhaps more philosophical? I'm not sure how to explain that either, I'm afraid. I would, however, also add the term bittersweet.

I would highly recommend this film as I felt it was well handed, with an interesting plot, good cast and it covers some important themes. It is a bit unsettling and sad at times but it is also thought provoking and I found it to be quite engrossing/atmospheric, so I'd definitely recommend it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

rohnjay

Jun 6, 2015

Brilliant film about Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys that blows up the usual "great man" biopic formula and instead focuses on two amazing periods in Wilson's life--the 1960s when he transitioned from writing pseudo-surf music to the epic album ":Pet Sounds," and the 1980s when an obese,Brilliant film about Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys that blows up the usual "great man" biopic formula and instead focuses on two amazing periods in Wilson's life--the 1960s when he transitioned from writing pseudo-surf music to the epic album ":Pet Sounds," and the 1980s when an obese, drug-addled Wilson was seduced by a phony psychologist only to be saved by a female car salesperson. To accomplish this feat the director Bill Pohlad (sp?) hired two actors---Paul Dano plays the doughy 1960s boy genius Brian Wilson and John Cusack plays the 1980s battered, broken Brian Wilson. The trick works magically. Unlike most music biopics this one takes you deep into the creative process using what I think are the original recordings. It would have been easy to make a lush, conventional music biopic given the gorgeous Beach Boys soundtrack. To the filmmaker's credit, he pushed beyond conventions and found real truth--a bit like Brian Wilson himself. Don't miss it.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

hoodbutch

Dec 27, 2015

Very entertaining and very well done in every aspect. A great insight into their recording process. A must watch if you're a Beach Boys fan and even if you're not.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Jun 9, 2015

This is not the standard musician biopic, but a fascinating and immensely absorbing examination of the artistic, emotional and mental struggles of Brian Wilson (the creative powerhouse behind the Beach Boys). The timeline alternates between his peak years, when he was starting to experimentThis is not the standard musician biopic, but a fascinating and immensely absorbing examination of the artistic, emotional and mental struggles of Brian Wilson (the creative powerhouse behind the Beach Boys). The timeline alternates between his peak years, when he was starting to experiment with their sound (played by Paul Dano) and the period after his breakdown (played by John Cusak), when therapist Dr. Eugene Landy dominated his existence. Both actors are mesmerizing, brilliantly capturing Wilson's complexity and charisma. As the woman who saves him, the usually outsize Elizabeth Banks is a quiet revelation. Producer-turned-director Bill Pohlad has crafted a compellingly complex examination into the creative process and one of the most effective studies of mental illness ever on screen. Although the musician's oppressive struggles keep the film in a continual dark place (with a sometimes slow pace), the film's quiet power and artistic mastery create an enthralling cinematic exploration. NOTE: The real Wilson performs the title song on camera during the credits.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

smiyamot

Nov 21, 2015

As a teenager, I loved the Beach Boys songs. You never realize what terrible lives they might be living to be so creative. This movie showed Brian Wilson with all his troubles, weaknesses, problem personal life, right on screen for all to see. What guts that must have taken for him toAs a teenager, I loved the Beach Boys songs. You never realize what terrible lives they might be living to be so creative. This movie showed Brian Wilson with all his troubles, weaknesses, problem personal life, right on screen for all to see. What guts that must have taken for him to agree to this movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

swing

Jun 16, 2015

This is a well-made movie with good acting, but it wasn;t what I wanted to see. It;s really about mental illness and the downward spiral of the creative force of the Beach Boys. I wanted it to be more upbeat, at least in some parts, but it wan't. I wanted more music, but there wasn't. IThis is a well-made movie with good acting, but it wasn;t what I wanted to see. It;s really about mental illness and the downward spiral of the creative force of the Beach Boys. I wanted it to be more upbeat, at least in some parts, but it wan't. I wanted more music, but there wasn't. I wanted to be entertained and leave the theater smiling, but I couldn't.… Expand

1 of 14 users found this helpful113

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66	#66 Best Movie of 2015
96	#96 Most Discussed Movie of 2015