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Love & Mercy. An accurate portrayal of a great musician
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Bill Pohlad (producer of 12 Years a Slave) has directed an intimate and respectful portrait of Brian Wilson, founder, musician and composer of The Beach Boys. To do it, he has used a nonlinear structure that focuses on two stages of Wilson's life. The film passes from one to another and tries to show the intricacies of his mind that is trapped by his demons.
The era of the 60s, superbly played by Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine), shows a very creative moment of Brian, but also the beginning of his illness. He starts to hear voices, to remember his childhood, traumatized by a despotic father, and to distort reality. We witness some unforgettable scenes in this part of the story, as when the group records their most famous hits. We can also follow the process of creating some endearing songs as Good Vibrations and God Only Knows. However, these moments are not exempt from the controversial relationships between the members of the band.
During the 80s, excellent interpretation of John Cusack (Being John Malkovich), the protagonist spent a few years without leaving home because of a great depression. The film shows us a Brian, who is a prisoner of an unscrupulous and manipulative doctor, and a slave of his illness. That is when he meets Melinda, his future wife, and thanks to her wisdom he finally gets rid of this unhealthy dependency.
These two vital moments apart for some years may give the feeling of being in two different movies, but serve to explain the painful process of Brian Wilson to regain lucidity and sanity.
The movie is an accurate portrayal of this great musician whose recognition and popularity led him to live in a world woven by uncertainties and delusions.
Texts: Núria Farré. facebook@cinemaperaestudiants.cat
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