The Smiley Smile Message Board

Caught a screening of the film today. I thought it was absolutely brilliant on so many levels. I wasn't expecting to be so emotionally moved.

A major work worthy of its subject.

Yes, there are broad strokes that only people like us will know are broad strokes -- but none of the "inaccuracies" are done for any other reason than to advance the story and get the info and emotions in -- not to misrepresent or hinder it. It's a movie  -- not a doc. Some very real sh it in this film. Jarring. Sad. Heavy.

I've always made fun of biopics (with the ridiculously pristine Dodge Darts, rock bands from 1962 playing their guitars down by their crotches, and people in 1967 looking like Artimus Pyle), but this was pretty stirring and unforgettable.

Without question -- the best case scenario.

Glad to see a positive review from you, Howie. I'm really looking forward to this and I was hoping it would pass inspection for most of us fans.

A worthy endorsement.  Very glad to hear it Howie.  Thanks.

Good stuff… roll on a UK screening :/

Excellent to hear, Howie! Glad to hear it didn't fry your bullshit detector. No doubt the footnote brigade will comb through every line and studiously ignore the need for things like narrative, but I am loving the feedback so far from people who know the score.
 
What did you make of the soundtrack? Anything in particular stick out? Was intrigued by Lowbacca's talk of the sound mix.

 Roll on, SXSW.

Film's sound-track is something to snuggle into and die. Pure bliss.

Glad you liked the film, Howie. It really is a piece of art.

Howie called me after the screening, and I couldn't believe how emotional his voice sounded.  He was a little surprised at how deeply the film effected him.

Regarding the music, he described the most unbelievable soundscape created by the films composer.  Really looking forward to seeing it now!

Ed ; I am pretty pumped after reading Howie's thoughts on the movie , as well as the score.Atticus Ross, who won the Academy Award , along with Trent Reznor for Social Network did the score. He told Brian and the director, he couldn't ever write anything  better than what Brian had already written, so he took snippets of Brian's compositions and  linked them together with a contemporary spin.  That's what composes the score.

Am puzzled why there is no word of soundtrack being released, especially now with such great reviews.

The reason for no soundtrack is simple.

There's already 400 LP’s with these same exact songs on it. There’s no reason for it — especially with new Brian product coming in April.

Now, there absolutely SHOULD be a disc released of Atticus Rose’s work, which is beyond belief and absolutely Oscar-worthy as is Paul Dano’s performance.

That's what I would want on the Soundtrack, the soundtrack music! not any actual previously released BB BW songs used separately

I think I read in Billboard several times that there will be a soundtrack.  And I would imagine it would be the actual SCORE by Atticus Ross, which by all accounts is brilliant.

Thanks for the positive vibes from your screening.  I'm unbelievably jazzed to finally see this.

Atticus Rose work is what I meant, pardon my loose terminology.

Hi Howie ; I think , going in , that everyone knew that the score could not be Oscar qualified as Atticus Ross used  previous work by Brian; in order to Oscar qualified it has to be original compositions.  Sounds like you loved it !

Busy couple of days and was delighted to return to read Howie's review of the film.  So looking forward to it.

And also Ray, I'm betting that while certain parties/publishers might've happily signed off on the use in the movie, creating a new sellable version of a track utilizing many different writers would've been a nightmare in regards to clearances.

It's a shame re: the Oscars: should get "Best ADAPTED Score."

Wait...Trent Reznor helped with the score?! I'm a bit loopy due to meds (mostly prescribed lol ) so I may have read that wrong.

Many of us envy those meds right now - my damn shoulder is killing me for the 5th day in a row.  I KNEW I would make a crappy old lady.

I feel ya..preaching to the choir! Gallbladder issues here. Two weeks I find out if it's coming out or not. Got antibiotics, medication for my ulcer, 2 different kinds of painkillers (technically three, but I'm only counting non-organic medicine ^_^). My wife has bad rheumatoid arthritis, and with it being cold, poor thing has not had an easy time. Sad part is, I'm going on 37 and she's going on 36, so I can just imagine how we'll be in 20 years! Age is how you feel, so I'm somewhere between the milk in my fridge and Bob Hope's ghost.  Thankfully I'm drop dead sexy* so I've got that. :lol

*despite the fact that my beard's going grey, being bald, and about 50 pounds from my target weight!

I think he meant Trent Reznor helped with Atticus Ross' score for "The Social Network".

Ahhh...got happy for a moment!

.

Billy - We feel for you and with you!

Last time my kidneys pitched a major, major fit, I was on a morphine drip for five days. Everything tasted like iron filings but, hey, I was flying high, didn't give a sh*t.

I don't know if I can watch a Beach Boys-related biopic if it doesn't have either mismatched beards or someone's mustache falling off mid-scene.

Yes ; that's what I meant.

I left the theatre feeling like I got hit by a locomotive; I was completely emotionally drained.  This is an incredible film; I can reiterate some of what Howie stated; funny , sad , gut wrenching, tragic...jarring.it's not a walk in the park.  Dano/Cusack wear Brian like a glove ; Banks is fabulous as Melinda ; she nailed it; Gianatti is Landy. Even his voice, it's spooky. The score is like nothing I have ever heard ; genius; my feeling was that it is supposed to represent all the music constantly playing in Brian's head.   The recreation of the Pet Sounds/Smile sessions is reason alone to see this film; for most people on this board. I love the way Dano's votive was interspersed with Brian's.


I am working so I have to cut it short for now, I will be back later with more thoughts.

Eugene Landy is still not dead enough for me.

Sounds like hard core fans would be advised to bring tissue and sit in the back row.

Those are my plans.  Soon...very, very soon!  Landy not dead enough - yep...

It's great to hear that the movie is good; I'm most interested in the Cusack/"later" sections. Regarding Landy, it's interesting to remember that what's happening now is exactly what Landy wanted for himself - not just the money, notoriety and book, but wasn't he at one point shopping around the Brian-Gene movie with Gene, presumably, in the hero/savior role? I think I've seen old articles that had Gene and his partners talking up Richard Dreyfuss as Gene and William Hurt as Brian... Sounds like Landy got his movie, but not quite the one he envisioned.

Judging from the trailer, they've got scenes with the Sandbox. Questions: (1) Are there any known, publicly-accessible contemporaneous photos of the real Sandbox? (2) It looks like, in the movie, they've got a beach ball in the Sandbox. I don't necessarily expect anyone to actually know the answer to this, but is it known for a fact that Brian had a beach ball in there, or is that just artistic license on the part of the filmmakers? This is a weird question, but I find the Sandbox to be a brilliant stroke of creative genius on Brian's part and fascinating so I'm curious about that.

There was lots of crying in the theatre.  I was holding on to the armrest for dear life; didn't want to lose it ; the guy sitting next to me was calmly eating jelly beans.

I can't wait to see it again ; I am sure I missed some of it as it was so intense

Landy got the movie he deserved

;-)

(http://i.imgur.com/OMIM8uU.gif)

I'm glad to hear they've avoided some of the biopic pitfalls. They could never get a "Beatles Anthology" amount of detail into 90-120 minutes (doc or biopic), so I'd rather see a sharper focus on some interesting periods.

Hopefully this well get good enough distribution at the theaters, and/or we won't have to wait too long for the Blu-ray.

I'm also now intrigued to hear the score, as in the non-BB recordings. I wonder if they might be able to swing some sort of online-only download release of the score. A lot of films and TV shows get soundtrack/score releases online but not on CD.

The thing that hit home for me -- and something that we take for granted, even while being tapped into it -- is just how miserable and pained this guy was for so much of his life. Some higher power put him here to give us joy and act as a salve for US - but he barely caught a break for himself. Couldn’t enjoy being in his own SKIN, let alone the accolades, wealth and his babies. You see what a raw deal he was consistently handed. Constant fear. And during his conscious moments, dealing with the illness and fear of Landy institutionalizing him as a retaliation. This poor guy must've wondered where the hell God was for most of his life.

Thanks, Howie.  So glad the price he paid - just to be him - came through this work.

Beach balls aren't what I've heard was in the Sandbox.

Okay - people have recently seen a movie we're all excited about, and we're worried about the sandbox?  I'm sorry, I don't mean to pick on the guy who posted this originally as it's an innocent question.  And this is so often a trivia and battle-oriented Board that I shouldn't expect valuable info to over-ride nonsense. 
BUT - these people who have seen it are profoundly moved.  Howie is giving us a professional review that I find mightily impressive.  Ray Lawlor is giving us his commentary as someone close to Brian, and this is what the focus is?  Okay, now I'm laughing, as long as we don't go back to the color of that truck for the promo - then I 'm probably going to hurt somebody before I'm banned for life. 

Did some of you people see "Apocalypse Now" and worry about the color of the guy's headband?...Never mind, forget I asked...

1 - there are absolutely no known pictures of the sandbox, and if one - just one - hasn't turned up in 49 years, I'm betting there aren't any, period.

2 - no-one has ever mentioned a beach ball in the sand box (dog sh*t, yes): there was one in Brian's 1976 SNL performance... but does it really, really matter ? I say not.

So glad my previous commentary had such a profound impact - as I expected!  Anyway, if I remember correctly, Brian had a photo of the sandbox.  Maybe he still does - who knows?

What I'm wondering now..... and maybe Howie and Ray could offer their thoughts on this...... do you think the average movie-goer, with only cursory knowledge of the Beach Boys and little to no knowledge of Brian Wilson's life, would likely be emotionally moved by this film? This sounds like an exceptional piece of quality work in all regards, so I'm just thinking about the possibility of it just standing on it's own as a film, without the viewer being emotionally invested in the story from the outset. That, to me, is a very exciting thought (because I am very emotionally invested in the story  :)).

I keep thinking about the clip in the "American Band" doc where Brian says in his imitable fashion, "We started out as babies.... and grew into men! It's a dramatic story! The story of the Beach Boys is a dramatic story!" I concur! I always knew there was a great movie to be made about Brian's life, and it sounds like that movie has finally been made.

And I hope to see the screening at SXSW this Sunday!

But HOW CAN THIS BE?!?!

How could something so unique not be documented photogenically????

Gregg -- to answer your question, yes.
I don't think anyone with a heart and brain could be left unmoved by this.

This thing is art -- like Todd Haynes' I'm Not There -- but ultimately better and more important, because it's not using some device to tell the story.
The story's the f ucking story. It's REAL.

The bottom line, to get all philosophical, is that it shows the corruption or the "molestation" -- for want of a better word -- of a beautiful heart, a pure soul. I think it's safe to say that anyone coming near this movie has either a sophisticated artistic pallet, an interest in the subject, and most likely both. I went in preparing myself for the worst -- and honestly, the trailer doesn't do it justice. It's really not an accurate teaser for what's rolled out. I saw the trailer and was bracing myself for a very long Lifetime movie of the week. Even when people involved were telling me that it was incredible, I was still expecting some bullsh it like Backbeat.

I've yet to see the Wrecking Crew doc. I can't imagine it besting what's featured in Love And Mercy.
Personally, I don't want to trample on somebody's trip -- but at the end of the day, I'm not sure you NEED more than what's featured in the film.

I don't know what Lionsgate's distribution setup is for this. I don't know how far reaching their plans are.
There will be Oscar buzz for it though.

On the board there's undoubtedly going to be people who are going to be d icks about minor things -- and trust me -- they are minor; and I'll say it now: the people that are going to dwell on "That was never said. . . There was no meeting where. . .  He never went. . . " Entirely missed the point.

The film is an atom bomb.

It's about a guy who lives a personal internal Auschwitz nightmare yet still writes "This Whole World" for people he'll never meet.
If you think you love Brian Wilson now, wait until the final credits roll.

He should be at every screening for no other reason than to receive audience hugs.

Beautiful post, really makes me even more impatient to see the movie!

Is "This Whole World" in it or was it just an exemple to describe it? :o

Thanks again, Howie, for sharing your thoughts. Beautifully written, I especially love your line, "It's about a guy who lives a personal internal Auschwitz nightmare yet still writes 'This Whole World' for people he'll never meet." Chillingly succinct.

No, "This Whole World" is not featured.

One thing I am definitely looking forward to is reading a printout by someone from the board, of what exactly the soundscapes consist of -- that will be fascinating.

Gregg;  I believe that even people not emotionally invested will enjoy this film. The story of how Brian Wilson and Melinda Ledbetter became a couple is a very compelling part of the story which i havent touched on yet. How Landy attempts to manipulate her , then ultimately becomes abusive and prohibits her from seeing Brian ; how she goes up against Landy and with the inside assistance of Gloria Ramos , finally gets the goods on Landy to turn over to the state of California.  I don't want to give out too much , but as Howie said , this movie is an atom bomb. It's about a guy being in a hopeless imprisoned situation , and a woman who was relentless in  getting him out of it. A remarkable story.  I had forgotten how horrible it was ; after seeing this film I never will again.  I need to go out there and hug the both of them.

And I need that score by Atticus Ross

Oh okay, nevermind then, still a very good way to describe Brian anyway :)

I'm really curious as to what Beach Boys, Brian Wilson music we hear in it!

Is the Dennis tragic death mentioned in the movie?

A re-post from September 23 that I wrote. Please note that this is not based on seeing a final cut of the film (I haven't), but from a final draft of the script that I read. So, let's call a possible Spoiler Alert for those who don't want to know:


Some have been speculating about the music cues in the film. I quickly compiled a list of cues that I noted in the script for anyone who might be interested (Spoiler Alert?) - although many of these have been mentioned in Toronto reviews I've seen and word of mouth I've heard). Some are ambiguous (diegetic v non-diegetic), and some I've heard didn't make it to the final cut (Norwegian Wood, for obvious reasons I'm guessing):

Don’t Worry Baby (studio session)

Surfin’ USA (live)

Surfer Girl (live)

Fun Fun Fun (live)

Songbird (Kenny G) - Muzak

I Get Around (studio session)

Norwegian Wood (The Beatles) - (outdoor playback of Rubber Soul album)

Be My Baby (45 rpm playing in Brian's bedroom)

Pet Sounds (studio session)

Wouldn't It Be Nice (studio session)

God Only Knows (Brian plays demo on piano for Murry)

You Still Believe in Me (Brian plays chords and sings in studio as he works it out)

You Still Believe in Me (tracking session)

God Only Knows (tracking session)

Banana and Louie (studio session)

Brian plays “Achingly Beautiful Melody” (for Melinda in Malibu)

Pet Sounds Vocal Montage:

You Still Believe in Me (vocal session)

Sloop John B (vocal session)

Hang Onto Your Ego (vocal session)

Here Today (vocal session)

Caroline No (vocal session)

I Live for the Sun (Murry plays acetate)

Mack the Knife (Brian's mind)

The Magic Flute (Brian's mind)

Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) - non-diegetic (?) instrumental track plays during Brian's first LSD trip

Stoked (Beach Boys instrumental) – non-diegetic soundtrack (60's) turns into a diegetic track from emanating from a boom box on a sailboat (80's)

Good Vibrations (Brian plays chords at the dinner party, working it out at the piano)

Good Vibrations montage - various studios and sessions:

Western 3 - Instrumental tracking

Gold star - Vocal session

Un-named Recording Studio

Western 3 - alternative vocal session

Control Room playback of final mixed version of song

Dinner party guests silverware and glass music "session", with Brian chanting over the "cacaphony"

Surf’s Up (Inside Pop) with Bernstein VO

Heroes and Villains (Brian and VDP work composing session)

“Fire” sessions (Gold Star)

Smile montage (Columbia):
a. Heroes and Villains (Brian demonstrates to group on piano)
b. Beach Boys harmonize on “Prelude”
c. Session musicians playing kazoos, toy whistles, bells and various childhood instruments
d. Brian piano theme, which “deteriorates as the take comes to an end and the notes played become random and jumbled.”

Brian sings Plymouth Rock chant in swimming pool

The final chord of Day in the Life (Beatles) and phonograph needle lifts

Two Step Side Step (Brian sings briefly to Hal)

Wonderful (version 3) plays, “a heartbreaking piano” as Brian stares into the Bellagio swimming pool

Rhapsody in Blue playing in Brian’s bedroom

Rhapsody in Blue turns into A Day in the Life a Tree as Brian takes Landy’s pills

“The Beach Boys Sunflower plays” over 1950s Wilson Hawthorne house in Brian’s mind montage

Day by Day (The Four Freshmen) over ocean/beach house in Malibu day (non-diegetic?)

Till I Die (non-diegetic scene with Landy)

Do it Again (non-diegetic over Cadillac dealership 1986)

In My Room (non-diegetic, Brian’s bedroom) – becomes "UNBEARABLY LOUD"

A “Cheesy Pop song” (Melinda’s car cassette)

Wouldn’t It Be Nice (non-diegetic as the car drives away, but Pet Sounds is seen in Melinda’s car prior)

WIBN continues over final SUPERTITLES

Love and Mercy from Live at the Roxy plays over final credits (with the live video, I’m told, playing in a corner of the frame as credits roll)

Woah, now if this is legit... could someone confirm?

If some of those music pieces doesn't make the final cut (specially  those wierd and exotic mash-ups) I'm gonna hate myself so much for having read that post...

Some of that is still in the film -- a lot isn't.
It's not clinical like that at all. There's music going constantly. Your brain isn't even thinking about it.
Reading it like that, like a list, is exactly what the film is NOT like.
I cannot wait till everybody sees this thing.

I know there's another screening tonight in L.A., hopefully more people from the board will be there to share their insights.

I like the idea of music coming from Brian Mind as the list says...lol.... that should be the name of the NEXT solo cd after Pier pressure... "Brian's Mind".

Howie, between you and Ray, I can't wait for June to arrive!

Dave just beat me to it.

Thank you Howie and Ray for some of the best stuff on here in ages.

Personally, I would like to see not only the sandbox depicted, but also the Indian tee-pee. Why ignore a part of history? It was a part of Brian's folklore (though I've read that he barely set foot in the tee-pee). The sandbox Brian has said helped to inspire him to write during that period. Some damn good music came out of that sandbox! And probably some damn good meetings were held inside the tent.  ;D

Howie, I'd be interested in hearing your take on the "rotten tomato" reviewers on this web site. More reviews will be coming in of course, but being subjective, are these guys in the ballpark or no?

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/love_and_mercy/

Mikie --

I was talking to Ray earlier and he said the most perfect thing about this film, if I can paraphrase, it's that people are going to want to put this in a box and it doesn't fit any sized box. The form is too wide. Really the only thing that I can compare it to is I'm Not There, but this is far heavier/spritual. Which isn't to say that there isn't lightness, too, it's just that in terms of film, Brian has been so stupidly and inaccurately portrayed as rambling/skittish/insane -- like that scene in An American Family, where he's, like, frothing at the mouth handing out sheet music like an idiot -- or elsewhere where he's a bear that's always afraid. There's none of that here. There's no imitations. You can see his spirit in these actors.

What IS here is the word of Melinda who WAS there. Early on the buzz was that this was going to be a vehicle with no other angle than her taking credit for saving him from the clutches of this maniac -- but, the fact is, SHE DID. She DID do that. There are always going to be people to tell you that this one did this, that one did that -- but until she got her hands in the s hit, he was left to rot with that maniac pig. True, Brian didn't die under Landy's watch -- but he absolutely would have. She got him out. There is nothing in the movie that gives Melinda undue credit. If anything, she's actually undersold as the heroine of the story.

As far as the reviews, I think it's obvious that people that aren't personally connected to what Brian's life, music, and story mean are going to talk about the actors not looking like each other, or like Brian, or there being no "center" -- trust me YOU will see the center. Some entertainment blogger won't and will ultimately be confused why it's not more like Beyond The Sea.

If they don't get it, who cares? This movie's for US.

Thanks, man.  Looking forward to the movie coming to an AMC theatre near me!

Oh.. is, at least, the 'Till I Die part still in it? *crosses fingers*

Thanks for the review Howie! I'm new to the forum, but I can tell you are very respected here!

I was wondering if these two particular songs/scenes made the movie:

Does the scene with "In My Room" make it and does it become "unbearbly loud"?

And is the scene where "Rhapsody in Blue" becomes "A Day In The Life Of A Tree" still in it?

Gee, if the "Love and Mercy" footage is really from one of the two Roxy shows, I have a 50/50 chance of being in the movie myself! (If you can see any of the audience.)

Thanks for that.  Yes, she DID do that.

"Eugene Landy is still not dead enough for me." -- Ray Lawlor

"If you think you love Brian Wilson now, wait until the final credits roll." -- Howie Edelson


Two of the most profound comments I have ever read on Smiley.


Thanks Ray and Howie for all your great posts and for stoking the fires for Love and Mercy.   

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4025282560/rg183933696?ref_=rgmd_md_nxt

Exclusive still photos from the film

What I told a friend this morning was when this film comes out run, don't walk,  to the theatre to see this. So much authenticity in the movie ; the recreation of the 66/67 sessions; Dano really becomes Brian at the piano; Mark Linett doing a nice turn as Chuck Britz; Gary Griffin as Al DeLory and Cusack is a revelation as the film develops. My opinion; it does the story justice without sensationalism; pulls no punches, and treats everyone fairly. In the scene where Landy gets served, after Melinda provided the damning documents to Carl's attorney , the woman sitting behind me was clapping and crying at the same time. Banks nails Melinda Ledbetter; Landy's worst nightmare. I need to see it again ; there is too much to grasp the first time around. Finally , Brian is portrayed accurately on film , and it took two fine actors to do it.

As I had said earlier ; I need that score !  

And if Dano or Cusack is not nominated for an Oscar I'm gonna call the cops.  

Featuring Mark Linett as Chuck Britz! Very cool.

Just behind them, check out the headstock of that guitar...looks like a Danelectro "Bellzouki" 12-string electric...hmmm.  ;)

Oh MY GOD!!!  The Related Galleries...  566 Photos of Elizabeth Banks.
HEAVEN

So great.  It's driving me crazy that I can't see it until the Minneapolis film festival 4/24-25.  It isn't often that I get to see a film in which I love every artist in the mix - director, writer, actors - not to mention the subject of the film, himself.  I think I'll prepare to have someone else drive me from the theatre to the hotel afterward, as I'll probably be in a state of shock and amazement.  I'm thinking I'll see if I can get seats to both presentations to take it all in.  Any suggestions?

The best part about this movie, is that if it becomes the big drama of 2015 and EVERYONE goes to see it, "No Pier Pressure" is going to become an unstoppable force.  It will be like Supernatural was for Santana 15 years ago.

I know everyone dismisses the Grammys, but think about how awesome it would be to see BW win "Album of the Year" along with several other awards.   I'd even be willing to see Kanye West jump on stage and tell Brian he's not as talented as Beyoncé if it means it's Brian's big night!

That must have been a crazy experience for Linett, like being warped back in time to Brian's heydays after working for so long with that very music.

I asked this question on the Brian weirdest pictures thread but this may be a better place for an answer.

Manson wasn't on the scene till 68 I believe so it wouldn't be him.

If NPP wins a Grammy, I would pay money to see a live camera feed of Mike's reaction.

Looks like Flo and Eddie to me. Surely the Mark Volman-ness of the guy in specs is not a mistake.

That's a very good call.  According to the dialogue from the trailer as matched up with the screenplay that's 'Hipster #1' and 'Hipster #2' I believe.  But I believe that's the look they are going for... Flo & Eddie.

Did anyone here see Flo and Eddie do their Mike Love impression in the 70's?  I was told it was incredibly funny, but never witnessed it myself.

Oh my god!!! :lol

Sure would like to see that  :lol

You'd think there would be video, right?  It was a long time ago.  My friend Michele Meyer saw it and told me it was really, really funny.  Michele knew pretty much everybody and saw nearly everything in Hollywood during those years.  She was Miss Pamela des Barres's buddy, as well as with Paulette Fataar's.  One of the smartest, funniest women in Hollywood who eventually became a star-maker.  I'm kind of surprised Cameron Crowe hasn't done a film about her yet.  Flo and Eddie shared her style of humor!

Yup!

I think I understand you're "hmmm" ... didn't we have a discussion about that guitar on this board a year or two back?!? Like there was no photographic evidence of the Bellzouki, but we decided it might have been one of the main 12-ers used on the '60s sessions?

That's the one, Donny!  :)  The frustrating thing is that the WIBN intro could be played on any electric 12 to the point where it sounds right - 14th fret, no need to detune or do anything special to get the sound. But in early 1966, there were not many options available...the Fender XII like you play, the Rickenbacker, and the Danelectro are pretty much the only major ones I'd expect to have seen in an LA studio player's arsenal at that time...mostly for issues of playability and reliability, not to mention tone. Then we have some photos of Tommy Tedesco with a Bellzouki at a session, and word that some other players used them. Factor in Barney Kessel, who was an early user of a Danelectro baritone in the 50's...or whoever/whatever that still photo from the movie is supposed to be showing...it just jumped out of that photo to see what was a portrayal of a 1966 era session showing a Bellzouki rather than a regular Danelectro, even.

I know what I'll be watching for in the film in those studio scenes.  ;D

If I remember correctly, we decided the Bellzouki for the same reasons they used the Dano 6-string bass: because this was a utility instrument, for novelty or 'teenage' sessions, as opposed to using a more expensive instrument like a Gibson 335-12 or a Ric. It seems like rock stars like Carl and John Phillips would use the higher-end stuff though.  I think the Fender XII was a studio standard though ... priced slightly on the higher side, but I don't think as much as a Gibson or Ric? It's also easier to play than those models, and was unique for being a purpose-built 12 (as opposed to a modified 6-string).

My guess regarding 12-string acoustics is Gibson B25-12 ... for the same reasons as noted above! Unless they had one of those wacky Hoyers! :)

Regarding the studio still ... I have to note ... hard to tell from the photo, but I think the Scully 4-track is not period correct ... that's a later Scully (late '60s-early '70s) I believe, with the light tan colored electronics, instead of the silverface of the earlier '60s model ... ha but we can't have it all I guess!

Don't hate yourself! Some of those music pieces didn't make the final cut, but other stuff not listed is in -- like a snatch of "The In Crowd." Trainspotters and collage-dissectors will be pleased to know the credits feature a breakdown of which songs were used for each collage... and they get INCREDIBLY dense with fragments of a dozen or two tracks layered together, studio session chatter drenched in reverb... They all have individual track titles... And yes: I want a release. Atticus Rose did a brilliant job!

Everyone did. What Howie and Ray said, underlined. Bold. Italics. I loved this film and can't wait to see it again and sink into the soundtrack. This was an overwhelming piece of work, so much better than I had anticipated. I figured I'd love Dano and feel iffy about Cusack. Cusack absolutely friggin' nailed it. It wasn't some ridiculous idiot savant Forrest Gump-style Hollywood parody of Brian, but a sensitive portrayal that really got his shy humor down to a tee. It might not look like it from the stills, but wow -- Cusack did his homework BIGTIME, the nuances, the expressions, he had his voice down pat. He must've been scouring youtube for footage!

The Landy era segments were TONS more harrowing and emotional than I figured, not merely a traditional Hollywood "redemptive power of luv" narrative. Sure there was love and redemption and mercy, but they didn't pull any punches or have Melinda swinging from a vine saving Brian like a superhero. They stuck to the actual story, and it's one that some people need to be reminded of judging by some of the defenses in the Landy thread. I still don't entirely get people who profess to love Brian but hate Melinda: i'd like to see YOU pull off what she did. Banks did an excellent job playing her with unshakable dignity.

Giamatti was hilarious, creepy, and wonderful. Dano: I don't even need to say it. You know he was possessed or something! I wanted to live inside those Pet Sounds/Smile scenes.

I wasn't a big fan of "I'm Not There" and initially was disappointed to hear Oren Moverman would be doing this. In fact I couldn't stand that movie... I worried this might be a bit too cloying and clever-clever, but he DID do excellent work with a low budget James Ellroy piece, "Rampart" and showed another side to his work and ability to write relationships, and here he stuck to the essential story... and I can't imagine a fan of BW's or a fan of human beings in general not to emphasize with the characters.

Looking forward to see what Bill Pohlad does next, clearly it was a waste for him to just produce. The guy is a born director.

The screenplay had a lot of stuff not in the cut I saw, so I'm curious if you could provide some more excerpts, PS: the Spector scene and the Murry/Rhonda session are not in any more. During one of the collages where voices are berating BW, I could make out Murry but it definitely sounded like one of the voices was the actor playing Spector, saying stuff like "everything you ever did you stole from me!". I'd love to hear more about the cut scenes and hope the bluray release includes them, I could easily have sit still for another half hour!

Mike Lovers: tho I hear it was toned down from the script, if you guys can defend his every action these days... rest easy. You'll have no problem empathizing with and understanding Movie Mike. Tho a bit of the usual consummate asshole, he does have a point in his arguments and he isn't just a b-movie bad guy or cardboard heavy. In fact he's really not in it too much... but at least he has some important scenes, unlike poor Al! Also, this Mike has way more hair. So step away from the lawyers, Mr. Love!

Sure some of the tiny details are a little rearranged, and no doubt someone here will argue for 7 pages about a slightly inaccurate line about the production of "Smiley Smile" or the wrong kind of microphone used in one scene... but as Howie said, these things are besides the point. They did an incredibly good job bringing this story to life and so much love and affection was poured into every scene. I'm sure I missed tons of little details all throughout and I'm counting on you guys to itemize them all for me so I can pretend I spotted them when I watch this with friends.

Oh, and one last shout out to good ol' Kodak motion picture film. So glad they did this right and passed on crispy, crappy digital. This movie LOOKS GORGEOUS. Gawd bless filmstock at 24fps.

I laughed, I cried, my mouth dropped open. They did justice to these people and the music, when it could've SO easily gone south and been your usual cookie-cutter biopic forgotten in two weeks. You guys are gonna fuckin' love it. Just wait. If Lionsgate gets behind it and pushes come awards season, they could end up with some lovely statuettes. Finally, a good Beach Boys movie. It'll be decades before we see it's equal.

NYC screening, so expect a lot more reviews soon!

Not a particularly great loss on the Spector. I want to be careful in not stepping over any boundaries, re: copyright and spoilers, but this seems okay to publish, given the fact that it's been cut:

31 EX WESTERN RECORDING STUDIO 3 – NIGHT

Brian-Past walks out of the building and stops dead in his tracks, recognizing: PHIL SPECTOR, a small man wearing sunglasses at night smoking a cigarette and talking with a YOUNG WOMAN. Spector notices Brian-Past.

SPECTOR: Can I help you?

BRIAN-PAST You’re Phil Spector

SPECTOR Really? Thanks for the reminder.

BRIAN-PAST No, I meant I know you. We met. Lou Adler’s party. I’m --

Spector starts to walk away with the Young Woman.

BRIAN-PAST You’re the best, man. I really admire—

SPECTOR Yeah. Yeah.

Brian-Past follows them. Amused and annoyed, Spector stops and turns to face the much taller Brian-Past.

BRIAN-PAST  I love your studio. The way you work it. I dig your sound. “Be My Baby” is the greatest song ever recorded as far as I’m concerned. I never stop listening to it. “Uptown” “Chapel of Love” “Baby I Love You” Everything you do is—I just think you’re the greatest music producer and arranger ever. I’ve learned a lot from you.

SPECTOR You mean you’re trying to be like me.

BRIAN-PAST What? No. I’m. I’m Bri—

SPECTOR I know who you are, Brian. The Beach Boys. “America’s Band”. I’m not much interested in surf bands.

Spector takes the Young Woman’s hand and walks away. Brian-Past stares after them, shaken.


I really appreciate your review and genuine enthusiasm, Ontor, added to Ray's and Howie's. I too am looking forward to seeing this and I'm deeply appreciative of the care they apparently took to get it right.

No Murry/Rhonda session in the script. The famous Murry lines we all know and love from "Rhonda" have been shifted to the "I Get Around" session in the script.

I hope they put that Murry "I Get Around" scene on the bluray so I could watch my oos and ahs... Murry was very well portrayed and his scene being played a snatch of "God Only Knows" is fantastic. Intense and horrible stuff.

All in all it makes me want to find the boneheads and Stamoses who made "An American Family" and have them tarred and feathered.

if he voluntarily submits to De-Stamosification he won't be subjected to any punishment. (http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTM4NzM2ODg1M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzE1NDM0MQ@@._V1_SX640_SY720_.jpg)We should lure Fred Weller here and make him an honored guest.

ontor, you lucky dog you. nice review. what was your favorite '80s era scene/moment?

The Murry/Get Around scene - #11 -  is one of the most extended scenes in the entire script, a full 5 1/2 pages, with lines for Murry, Mike, Dennis, and a couple for Carl, Al and Chuck...so I'm a bit surprised to hear that it was cut out entirely. Hmmm.

Hmm did I get this wrong and confuse a different Murry/studio argument deleted scene? I didn't hear any of his semi-catchphrases or dialogue from the infamous session tape.

Maybe they thought one of the arguments was repetitive. Anyway i'm sure you'll be able to figure it out soon enough. Thanks so much for the Spector bit.  


Landy bragging about his Underground Dictionary. Giamatti was an inspired choice.

Very pleased to see your thoughts about the film.  Have always enjoyed your YouTube BB collage videos. 

Something you mentioned about the way the film was shot takes me back to how happy I was when I read that Bob Yeoman was the DP for the film. 

Although the film was made on a small scale, it sounds like no expense (time/money/otherwise) was spared in lovingly crafting this story the right way.

:rock :rock :rock

Wonderful review, Ontor. And thanks PS for that script snippet. Sounds and looks like this film will make a lot of Beach Boys fans.

That's the impression I got from the Berlinale audience as well. Lots of guests who didn't know anything about BW/BBs aside from hits on the radio, who were fascinated by all the buzz eminating from the fans in the audience before the film started, who were transfixed by the story and Dano/Cusack during the film and who were excitedly chatting afterwards. I expect a considerable number of new registrations for SmileySmile, starting in June. :-D

Agreed. It'll also be fantastic to give this movie to family/friends and say "Hey, here's why I'm obsessed with this band" and hopefully they'll "get it" after watching the film.

Yeah, I've thought about that too. That'd be nice..

Same here.  I actually want to take them with me, I'm pretty sure they will come. I look forward to talking to them about it afterwards, what impressions they have as non-fans.  Very, VERY excited about this movie.  June is too far away!!!!

Behold the awesomeness [source: Brian's facebook page]:

There's a screening in NYC?

There's a photo of Brian and John Cusack at SXSW today on Brian's Twitter.

Check the bottom of page 4 of this here thread. ;D

(http://i59.tinypic.com/141i7m9.jpg)

Just got back from the U.S. premiere of "Love and Mercy" at SXSW. Along with the director, Bill Pohlad, Brian and John Cusack were in attendance and participated in a Q&A after the film. Like Howie and Ray have already said, it is an extremely emotional and moving film. I teared up throughout the movie. Paul Dano and John Cusack are absolutely amazing. I really felt like I was watching Brian personified in these two guys and seeing his story being played out before my eyes. And like one of the audience members stated, Bill Pohlad did a masterful job. Standing ovation at the end and, of course, when Brian walked out on stage.

Other things of note...

• The audience erupted into applause when Landy was served
• There were lots of moments of laughter because of Brian's eccentric and funny nature
• The score was phenomenal. The credits listed several pieces by Atticus Ross that sourced multiple BB songs.
• Parts of SMiLE were played before the film (BWPS). 

During the Q&A, one audience member said that this was the best movie he had seen in a long time, and I heard several other comments to that effect. And I whole-heartedly agree. It's a beautiful tribute to Brian and his music - a blending of joyful and heart-wrenching.

In Berlin they played BWPS and Love You tracks exclusively before Brian arrived. Someone did their homework. 8)

That's too bad. It really is. There's no known recordings of the 'I Get Around' session where Brian threw Murry against the wall. I think that was a turning point, if not the turning point of when The Beach Boys fired Murry. It would have been great to see it (or the Rhonda session) portrayed here. They obviously spent a lot of time on the script - to have it hit the cutting room floor is too bad. I doubt it would see life in a DVD but never say never, I guess.  :)

I kinda wished the end had the real Brian Wilson close the movie, as cheesy as it would be (i'm saying this not cause i've seen the film but because i'm pretty sure that's not happening).

So is this going to be a movie one will be able to see at AMC or Regal Cinemas, or will it just be showing at specialty theaters?  ???

(Cough cough cough)

Sorry I think I caught a cold. It should be interesting to see the reviews come in. Musicians and people who would love to be musicians if they could only figure out what those black dots mean without thinking of every good boy doing fine will especially enjoy it I think. And those with pulses.

https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/love-mercy

You guys that haven't seen the film and are speculating about what would have made the film better, really should just wait until you see the movie. Like the director said today, you can't include everything in Brian's life story. But what is presented in this film is extremely powerful, and gets across the Murry dynamic to a painful degree.

 The true fan's know the story.  That's our heart's beating during God Only Know's.  My wish is more people find this same joy!.

That's a good point, Gregg. It was a really good idea to concentrate on these two key periods and the crosscutting between them makes perfect sense. This would have been quite poor with the same actor adding beards and putting on fatsuits and wigs throughout, doing a Reader's Digest version of all of BW's life. They were smart not to do that, and not to replicate the "I'm Not There" approach either.

Hey Stamos! You better up your game with that Mama Mia ripoff project idea.

What ratio is the film Dano to Cusack?

Spoiler alert:












Pretty well known that the movie ends with live footage of the real BW singing the title track.

I'm actually wondering if perhaps the script didn't get trimmed a time or two more before filming.  Just because that scene was in a script in April 2013 doesn't mean that by August 2013 it hadn't been excised.

They may have never actually filmed this scene.

One of the fellows that saw it at TIFF said 50/50 I thought.

True. PS only says the script for that part was 5 1/2 pages - says nothing about it actually being filmed.

I heard those scenes and more were indeed filmed over a month and a half shoot and people saw a version with them included last year. So possibly at least for the deleted scenes,  rough cut with a temp soundmix is possible for the bluray/dvd release.

The demand starts here. Ya hear us, Lionsgate? Meow!

We can obsess about them more later, but i've got no problem with the current cut. It's a doozy!

That's the problem! Some of us know too much and will scrutinize the hell out of it for accuracy. For the average Joe off the street watching the movie, they will enjoy it for what it is, and knowing it's a "true story" going in will be good enough for them. That's all they need to know!

 :hat

Hahaha, i know regarding the credits! sorry, the way i expressed my thoughts might have been confusing.

What i meant is that i wished Brian had like a role in the movie at the end, not the live clip or credits thing, when i said close the movie i was thinking in a way like he would play his own part in a final scene or something, along with Melinda i guess, would only make sense, it was just a cheesy happy ending picture thought, haha.

Very happy with the Love & Mercy live clip in the credits, it was the first idea that came to mind as soon as we knew about the title movie.

Wow, that's amazing! i would have freaked out! what Love You tracks was it?

Thanks!

What were the audience's reactions to the Love You tracks if there was one at all?

Much of it, perhaps all Love You tracks. I remember hearing late 70s Brian belting out "Roooollleerr Skaaaatiiiing Chiiiiiild" whilst we were waiting for 2015 Brian to arrive. Really cool moment.

It was played outside the theatre. Largely general audience and 'Berlinale people'. Not many people gave a f*ck. I did though, had a stupid grin on my face the whole time. ;D Couple of others too.

Did these scenes make it into final cut?

"Dinner party guests silverware and glass music "session", with Brian chanting over the "cacaphony"
Surf’s Up (Inside Pop) with Bernstein VO
Heroes and Villains (Brian and VDP work composing session)
“Fire” sessions (Gold Star)
Smile montage (Columbia):
a. Heroes and Villains (Brian demonstrates to group on piano)
b. Beach Boys harmonize on “Prelude”
c. Session musicians playing kazoos, toy whistles, bells and various childhood instruments
d. Brian piano theme, which “deteriorates as the take comes to an end and the notes played become random and jumbled.”
Brian sings Plymouth Rock chant in swimming pool
The final chord of Day in the Life (Beatles) and phonograph needle lifts" ??

Tnx in advance

Nile

"Dinner party guests silverware and glass music "session", with Brian chanting over the "cacaphony" — Yes, sort of...you get the cacophony, but no chanting.
Surf’s Up (Inside Pop) with Bernstein VO — Great duplication of Brian at piano singing Surf's Up, but no VO or even mention of Bernstein.
Heroes and Villains (Brian and VDP work composing session) — Nope
“Fire” sessions (Gold Star) — Yes
Smile montage (Columbia):
a. Heroes and Villains (Brian demonstrates to group on piano) — No
b. Beach Boys harmonize on “Prelude” — No
c. Session musicians playing kazoos, toy whistles, bells and various childhood instruments — No
d. Brian piano theme, which “deteriorates as the take comes to an end and the notes played become random and jumbled.” — No
Brian sings Plymouth Rock chant in swimming pool — No
The final chord of Day in the Life (Beatles) and phonograph needle lifts" ?? — No

[Heroes and Villains (Brian and VDP work composing session) — Nope
Smile montage (Columbia):
a. Heroes and Villains (Brian demonstrates to group on piano) — No
b. Beach Boys harmonize on “Prelude” — No
c. Session musicians playing kazoos, toy whistles, bells and various childhood instruments — No
d. Brian piano theme, which “deteriorates as the take comes to an end and the notes played become random and jumbled.” — No

[/quote]

OOhh nooooooo.... whhhyyy????? ooohhh whhyyy???
Hope that theses scenes were filmed and will be available on some kind of extended version...

Not surprised: the v/o was Oppenheim.  :)

Dano does sing the chant in the swimming pool. Mahalo lu le, Mahalo lu la, Keeni waka pula.... what we do get is incredible and i'm sure since they filmed this stuff and edited many of the deleted scenes, it'd be a no brainer to stick them on the bluray/dvd. Especially if critics go all acclaimy. You know critics and their acclaim!

I wonder if it's this version that's going to be on the Target edition of No Pier Pressure.

I still can't believe they've made a movie in cinemas about Brian Wilson in 2015. I know everyones already said it, but damn. I'm still just so happy to see my biggest musical hero get his dues in his own lifetime. :'( and I can't wait to finally see it :-D

I'm a bit curious as to how Landy is first presented if the 70's, as i've read here and there, are skipped..

Well he was still eccentric and controlling back then, so probably the same IMO.

When the story switches to the 80s, Brian is meeting Melinda and Landy is already ever-present in his life. You don't get to see how he got that way.

Riight yeah that's what i thought and seemed more logical, thanks for clearing it up!

One of my favourite scenes..

Holy sh*t, can't wait to see that scene. :o

OOhh nooooooo.... whhhyyy????? ooohhh whhyyy???
Hope that theses scenes were filmed and will be available on some kind of extended version...
[/quote]

I'm hoping a DVD/Blu-Ray release will either have a clutch of deleted scenes as extras, or maybe even feature a Director's Cut.

(Will that entail an alternative ending in which Harrison Ford plays Brian? Wait and see!)

What about the 'Til I Die part?