Life of Tragic Beach Boy Dennis Wilson Heading to Cinemas

[The Heartical Don]

I'm reading what the rest of you are, and I'm thinking... "train wreck". Just feels bad. Think it's the phrase "family involvement", which usually translates as "whitewash". Which, of course, would make the whole thing pointless.

...which is contrary to my hopes, but very clear thinking. Indeed, if one subtracts Dennis' problems, which were many, from the story, one is left with an illogical, incomprehensible piece of sanitized nonsense. I am thinking 'The Waltons' or 'Little House On The Prairie' here.

[Pretty Funky]

Which would be ok for a made for TV movie but for the big screen movie goers are going to demand more. I will await with interest.

[gsmile]

I am actually really looking forward to this.  Reason:

Brian's life is arguably the more "historically and musically" important story, but there's a reason why attempts at portraying Brian have always failed.  And that's because in real life Brian has always been an awkward person to watch in action, even before his mental health problems and rampant drug use.  I imagine the actors that have played Brian struggled with their portrayal, coming off too goofy or weird.  Well, the reality is Brian really WAS that awkward, weird and quirky in real life.  Not all the time of course, but it was a big aspect of both his humor and illness, the quirkiness.  It's hard to watch an actor try to balance that side of Brian with the more serious "artistic" side.

Dennis on the other hand is a classic rock star figure, handsome and hell bent on self destruction in the mold of a Jim Morrison or a Brian Jones.  Dennis lived life to the absolute fullest in his relatively brief time on earth; he was also strikingly good looking, and an underdog genius living in the shadow of his older brother Brian, whom he love and supported along with his beloved band the Beach Boys, and in the case of his promising solo career, to a fault.  The last years of Dennis' life are a tragic, yet fascinating tale and in my mind, will make for a more focused film.  Brian's story is a huge legacy, stretching all the way through his aristic peak in the 60s, the burn-out in the 70s, the Landy Years in the 80s, the slow artistic healing of Brian the artist in the 90s and 00s, realistically peaking the finishing of SMiLE in the form of live shows and a marvelous, but modest "recreation" on record, with TLOS and Gershwin as delectable desserts that are simply a bonus for us die hard fans.  By focusing on the most tempestuous period of Dennis' life I think the film will benefit from a smaller scope.

If this is done right, this has the potential to be the best Beach Boys related film so far...although admittedly that wouldn't be a tough achievement. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

If this is done right...

Possibly one of the biggest 'ifs' you can imagine. 

[gsmile]

Well, I wouldn't say it was that big an "if".  Both Summer Dreams and An American Family are deeply flawed movies, with the latter a definite improvement in all aspects, but with enough nagging portrayals and lapses in judgement, taste and accuracy to consider it "less than that definitive cinematic word on the Beach Boys."  Those two movies should be fairly easy to improve upon, and honestly I haven't read anything from the filmmakers that is sending "red flags" to my judgement center.  Sure, "the music is a character" is a hoary Hollywood cliche, but why shouldn't it be a character?  Certainly I would love to hear plenty of Dennis Wilson songs in a movie about Dennis Wilson, as opposed to an artsy, abstract film score because they couldn't get the rights to Pacific Ocean Blue.  After all, it's the music that drew me to the Beach Boys.  The somewhat morbidly fascinating personalities and twisted band/family dynamics were a bonus.  And I don't mean to glorify the many problems the band and it's surrounding family have had over the years, but even from a scholarly view, it's a fascinating story.  Maybe the film could shed some light on Dennis Wilson: the artist, the man, the father, the drug addict, the generous friend.  I would much rather see a film on this period of Dennis Wilson's life, then another dry biopic along the lines of Walk the Line, or Ray, in which the movie ends after the addiction is kicked, and the rest of their life is ignored.  I think the limited time frame here will give the movie focus, and therefore give the movie going public (and even Beach Boys fans) something more worthwhile than just another grab at an all encompassing "feel good" music movie.  Just my two cents.  Heh, maybe it'll totally blow goats though, who knows?

[Andrew G. Doe]

I haven't read anything from the filmmakers that is sending "red flags" to my judgement center. 

The two words "family involvement" give me serious pause for thought. 'Course, depends which part of the family.  Shawn & Karen are no longer with us, so that leaves Carol, Barbara and the children (I'm assuming Brian and Mike have already passed), none of whom were really him around that much 1977-83. It would make about as much sense as Marilyn producing a movie about Brian during the period 1999-2009.

Now, if Stebbins was/comes onboard, then all bets are off. But until then... color me severely skeptical.

[c-man]

i actually wouldn't be skeptical about this one guys.  these are legit film makers.  i've actually heard of their movie haha.

but, i'm curious who the "name" would be.

CASTING IDEAS COMMENCE!!

he hasn't really done movies like this, but he's a great actor, and since it's the last 6 years of dennis life,  though i suppose he might be too big a name....anyway. aaron eckhart.

He's got the chin.

[The Heartical Don]

i actually wouldn't be skeptical about this one guys.  these are legit film makers.  i've actually heard of their movie haha.

but, i'm curious who the "name" would be.

CASTING IDEAS COMMENCE!!

he hasn't really done movies like this, but he's a great actor, and since it's the last 6 years of dennis life,  though i suppose he might be too big a name....anyway. aaron eckhart.

He's got the chin.

In fact, he could be an illegitim... no wait. Dennis abstained from adventures.

[GoogaMooga]

I would definitely go see this picture, and enjoyed both Summer Dreams and An American Family. I think the actors who played Murry and Mike in the latter were spot on, in fact the thought of a biopic on Murry Wilson could be very interesting.

[GoogaMooga]

Alt comics artist Peter Bagge has made a short animated spoof on Murry, it's on youtube.

[Runaways]

the people involved in this are of a much higher quality than past beach boys movies, which in my mind means they'll have a bit more integrity when it comes to the history.  Especially these docu type.  I'd just enjoy a good movie.  It's not gonna be perfectly accurate but anyone who goes to a movie knows this.

[Ron]

This has the potential to be great. 

Exhibit A: "Walk the Line".  GREAT movie, largely accurate, and done with Johnny & June's approval.  Doesn't gloss over the bad parts, highlights them. 

Exhibit B: "Ray".  GREAT movie, largely accurate, and done with Ray Charles' approval.  Doesnt' gloss over the bad parts, highlights them.

[Ron]

I would much rather see a film on this period of Dennis Wilson's life, then another dry biopic along the lines of Walk the Line, or Ray, in which the movie ends after the addiction is kicked, and the rest of their life is ignored. 

That's a fair criticism, I would like to see them make more of the story too, but hell the guy DIED an addict.  So... uh.. that's probably going to be the end of the movie. 

[Runaways]

i'm guessing it'll end with some of the original news segments of his death either playing in the background or briefly showed.  since that stuff seems so available.

[Jay]

Yippie! Another Hollywood clusterfuck. 

[Magic Transistor Radio]

As an actor myself, I would love to audition for the part of Dennis. Unfortanately, I look a lot like Mike Love!

[Jay]

As an actor myself, I would love to audition for the part of Dennis. Unfortanately, I look a lot like Mike Love!

You poor man. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

This has the potential to be great. 

Exhibit A: "Walk the Line".  GREAT movie, largely accurate, and done with Johnny & June's approval.  Doesn't gloss over the bad parts, highlights them. 

Exhibit B: "Ray".  GREAT movie, largely accurate, and done with Ray Charles' approval.  Doesnt' gloss over the bad parts, highlights them.

Both of them were alive at the time and, as I've pointed out the family involved in this DW movie hadn't been any meaningful part of his life for over 10 years. It could be great... I hope it is. But i have serious reservations.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

This has the potential to be great. 

Exhibit A: "Walk the Line".  GREAT movie, largely accurate, and done with Johnny & June's approval.  Doesn't gloss over the bad parts, highlights them. 

Exhibit B: "Ray".  GREAT movie, largely accurate, and done with Ray Charles' approval.  Doesnt' gloss over the bad parts, highlights them.

Both of them were alive at the time and, as I've pointed out the family involved in this DW movie hadn't been any meaningful part of his life for over 10 years. It could be great... I hope it is. But i have serious reservations.

That is why it would be a good idea to get his friends involved.

[Jay]

It might be decent if the director(s?) talks to(and includes in the project) fellow musicians and people who were part of Dennis's "inner circle" during POB/Bambu.

[gsmile]

That's a fair criticism, I would like to see them make more of the story too, but hell the guy DIED an addict.  So... uh.. that's probably going to be the end of the movie. 

Haha, got me there.  I think I was on a bit of a rant and got carried away, logic be damend!  The only way Dennis' story would continue PAST his death would be if David Lynch directed the film.  Add some backward talking midgets spouting Van Dyke Parks lyrics and I think we have gold!

[The Heartical Don]

That's a fair criticism, I would like to see them make more of the story too, but hell the guy DIED an addict.  So... uh.. that's probably going to be the end of the movie. 

Haha, got me there.  I think I was on a bit of a rant and got carried away, logic be damend!  The only way Dennis' story would continue PAST his death would be if David Lynch directed the film.  Add some backward talking midgets spouting Van Dyke Parks lyrics and I think we have gold!

As crazy as it seems... I think you're basically right. Dennis' life was full of drama and contradictions, and I think little is really known what went on in his mind in his last couple of years. He died a true addict. Someone with Lynch's fantasy could 'fill in' the gaps.

[Alex]

i actually wouldn't be skeptical about this one guys.  these are legit film makers.  i've actually heard of their movie haha.

but, i'm curious who the "name" would be.

CASTING IDEAS COMMENCE!!

he hasn't really done movies like this, but he's a great actor, and since it's the last 6 years of dennis life,  though i suppose he might be too big a name....anyway. aaron eckhart.

Seth Rogen should play Dennis...Jason Segel as Brian, Jonah Hill as Carl, Jay Baruchel as the Lovester, Chris "McLovin" Mintz-Plasse as Al, Michael Cera as David Marks...

[Ron]

Hmm.  Since you mentioned that, I just realized somebody's going to have to attempt to play Brian, and Mike. 

[?]

That's a fair criticism, I would like to see them make more of the story too, but hell the guy DIED an addict.  So... uh.. that's probably going to be the end of the movie. 

Haha, got me there.  I think I was on a bit of a rant and got carried away, logic be damend!  The only way Dennis' story would continue PAST his death would be if David Lynch directed the film.  Add some backward talking midgets spouting Van Dyke Parks lyrics and I think we have gold!

As crazy as it seems... I think you're basically right. Dennis' life was full of drama and contradictions, and I think little is really known what went on in his mind in his last couple of years. He died a true addict. Someone with Lynch's fantasy could 'fill in' the gaps.

Yes!!!  I would totally be up for Dennis Wilson: Fire Walk With Me!