Once you see the movie you will have your answer. 

I purposely avoided asking a question during the Q&A because I know that 99% of the time, Brian is not engaged by a question. It occurred to me last night, though, that it would have been interesting to ask him, "How do you feel about Eugene Landy right now?" I really am not sure how he would answer.

That has to be a very complex and conflicted set of feelings for Brian, and while it would be interesting to hear his answer, I think putting him on the spot during the Q&A with that question would have been very uncomfortable.

There was a very uncomfortable moment during the Q&A when an older woman asked Brian essentially how did he let himself get into that situation with Landy. I assume she was not that familiar with his story, but still pretty insensitive. Brian just sat there like he had no intention of answering her while Bill Pohlad nervously looked over at Brian and very graciously began to try and answer her question. He did a great job with a very lengthy answer saying that they could not cover every event in his life and had to pick and choose in order to tell the story. It made me feel really bad for Brian but Bill Pohlad really did a great job sort of diverting the focus back to the making of the movie.

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.

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.

One that I don't think has been mentioned yet is "We'll Run Away". That penultimate "anyhow"...!

Good call! 

Three of the best that fall into this category, I think, are "Don't Worry Baby", "She Knows Me Too Well", and "We'll Run Away". He's constantly going in and out of falsetto and it evokes so much yearning and emotion into the melodies. Just beautiful stuff that I never grow tired of listening to.

This is a tough one.  But I have come to one conclusion over 40+ years listening to these recordings and that is that Brian Wilson, in his youthful prime (~20's) possessed the most perfect male singing voice, at least as far as I'm concerned. Just heart-melting, beautiful singing on so many tunes. I guess I especially love the ones where the melody seems to center right around that break in his voice. You could tell it took a lot of skill and musicality to pull it off, but he always did it so beautifully.

Three of the best that fall into this category, I think, are "Don't Worry Baby", "She Knows Me Too Well", and "We'll Run Away". He's constantly going in and out of falsetto and it evokes so much yearning and emotion into the melodies. Just beautiful stuff that I never grow tired of listening to.

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 rolls.

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

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.

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!

Somebody should post it on Youtube, for a short time, so anyone can save it to their computers. But before, announce the time limit, just so we know & don't miss it. alright?Then wrap it.

Great idea! After all, all music should be free, right?   

I live in Austin so I plan to see it March 15 at SXSW.  

Apologies if this has already been posted (did a search for the link). But here's the official album trailer for No Pier Pressure....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_vj5u-CXkE

I guess I heard Jeff tell the abbreviated version or maybe I just forgot the details.  Great story though! Jeff's a funny guy.

Which leads to the story of the first time Jeff Foskett met Dennis, shortly after he was hired by The Beach Boys. Jeff introduces himself and says to Dennis, "I love your part on Auld Lang Syne." Without hesitation, Dennis replies, "You're fired."

Sounds like Matt to me as well. Besides the evidence that Rich states, just listen to the blend of the high voice with Al's part right below. It sounds like an extension of Al's voice into a higher register. That genetic thang.

<<This is really interesting that they performed this recently with Dennis's original lead vocal....... because a few days ago I was thinking (something I read on the board got me thinking about this) how cool it would have been if in the mid/late 70's Dennis had stepped out front and performed this live with The Beach Boys. Probably at the time, it was thought of as too uncool, but in retrospect I think it would have rocked! Imagine the gruffer, bearded, POB era Dennis stepping out front to shock everyone with this rather innocent bit of 60's nostalgia. Am I crazy for thinking this?>>

I thought this throughout the 70s.  A great idea; I still don't know why they didn't do it, unless Dennis just wasn't interested.  I did have a conversation with Carl about it during an evening of coffee and dessert with Carl, Gina, Brian Berry and a couple of Mr. Berry's friends, following a show in Evansville, IN.   A longtime friend of Carl's, Brian had been gracious enough to invite my wife and I after the show to this little gathering.

I asked Carl about Dennis possibly doing Do You Wanna Dance in the encore.  Being in my early 20s and naïve about what was going on with Dennis, other than the fact that he wasn't with them on the tour, I suggested that it might give Dennis something fun to do.  Unfortunately, this was in October of 1983.  There was an uneasy silence, no doubt because I was the stupid one in the room.  Carl finally spoke, quietly saying, "Dennis has other problems right now."  

I feel for you, Steve. You and I are about the same age and I am sure if I had been in the same situation at the time I would have said something equally as awkward. Looks like you had the idea of Dennis doing "Do You Wanna Dance" back in the 70's way before me though. 

Coincidentally, I got to spend some time talking with Brian Berry 10 or so years ago. He had a great story about having dinner with Carl and hearing the newly released BB single, "Kokomo", come over the restaurant speakers.  Considering how he answered Carl's question, they were apparently pretty good friends.

This is really interesting that they performed this recently with Dennis's original lead vocal....... because a few days ago I was thinking (something I read on the board got me thinking about this) how cool it would have been if in the mid/late 70's Dennis had stepped out front and performed this live with The Beach Boys. Probably at the time, it was thought of as too uncool, but in retrospect I think it would have rocked! Imagine the gruffer, bearded, POB era Dennis stepping out front to shock everyone with this rather innocent bit of 60's nostalgia. Am I crazy for thinking this?

Like some of you, the only reason I *endured* any of the Grammy's was to catch Jeff Lynne. Not only did he sound great, but it was cool to see so many in the audience up on their feet dancing and singing along. Even Beyonce was caught on camera briefly with this bewildered smile on her face, like "why am I liking this so much?!" It just felt like these songs were true timeless classics now and everyone was having a blast. Well, everyone except Kanye. After all, he's a true artist. 

I did notice during the "In Memoriam" segment that David Anderle was included.

Ever the trooper, Al carried on undeterred as Mike attempted to upstage his audition for the role of Torgo in the musical adaptation of Manos: The Hands Of Fate.

 

Vitr(i)ol? Really? I'm not seeing it.

vit·ri·ol/ˈvitrēəl,ˈvitrēˌôl/
noun
1.cruel and bitter criticism.
2.sulfuric acid.

http://i.word.com/idictionary/vitriol

And please forgive me for spelling it wrong at first...this phone is not that easy to type on

I wasn't pointing out your misspelling, just the lack of vitriol in response to this endless rehashing of Daro's perceived transgressions. If Mujan wants to keep flogging this corpse, then have at it.

I think Fire Wind (and others) have stated it perfectly.

Vitr(i)ol? Really? I'm not seeing it.

vit·ri·ol/ˈvitrēəl,ˈvitrēˌôl/
noun
1.cruel and bitter criticism.
2.sulfuric acid.

Even ignoring the topic of acid, there's plenty of other reasons to dislike this Daro guy. Some of you going out of your way to praise him or excuse him really confound me.

And you making post after post crucifying the guy is equally as confounding.

Who deliberately breaks up a family? Who does that?

And again I think you are placing too much responsibility/blame on Lorren. He didn't force Brian to take LSD just as he didn't break up Brian's marriage. Brian made his own choices. Brian and Marilyn stayed together a LONG time after Daro was out of the picture. I believe they finally divorced in 1979 and I think it's safe to say a lot had transpired in those 15 or so years of marriage, most of it without Lorren Daro in the picture.

Gregg - you may be correct. But, the individual has more than enthusiastically taken responsibilty.

We are merely reading what he wrote.  

Really? I must have missed that part.

Who deliberately breaks up a family? Who does that?

And again I think you are placing too much responsibility/blame on Lorren. He didn't force Brian to take LSD just as he didn't break up Brian's marriage. Brian made his own choices. Brian and Marilyn stayed together a LONG time after Daro was out of the picture. I believe they finally divorced in 1979 and I think it's safe to say a lot had transpired in those 15 or so years of marriage, most of it without Lorren Daro in the picture.

I think double-tracking the backing vocals was pretty much standard procedure for Brian and boys back then and helped give them their distinctive lush sound. You don't notice many anomalies because they were simply really good. 

"I strongly suspect..." The most overused and abused coupling of three words on this board by those who think they know better which comfortably validates their opinion. 

It fits the pattern of behavior he's followed. Why else come to defend against non-existent criticisms to an article nobody read or cared about, claim he's Brian's best friend and all the best songs are about him, knock everyone else in Brian's life down to look more important by comparison and then leave when we all don't mindlessly fawn over the magnificence of the guy whose proudest accomplishment is giving someone else acid that they later said shattered their mind?

Run on sentence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFlvxnbgk