Throughout September I will be raiding my collection of favourite movies to review one a day, with a focus on overlooked and underappreciated films.
Where to find it: Rent on Amazon
Length: 2 hours
Synopsis: Biopic of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys
Recommendation rating: 3/5
What I like about it: well-acted and directed
What I don’t like about it: sometimes Hallmark-y, people either know the story or don’t really care
Review:
The lead role is played by two actors: Paul Dano plays Brian in the 60s and John Cusack in the 80s. The two narratives play out with relative ease, the first involving the recording of Pet Sounds and the failed recording of Smile, the second involving the tail-end of Brian’s involvement with Dr. Landy (played with villainous relish by noted ham Paul Giamatti) and the beginning of his relationship with Melinda (Elizabeth Banks). Both lead actors are very good at playing autistic and scenes thoughtfully depict sensory pleasure and pain.
Content notes (may contain spoilers): drugs, psychiatric abuse