LOVE & MERCY

Maybe it's age, but as soon as the end credits started running for LOVE & MERCY, tears filled my eyes. You'll have to see it and stay for them to get it, but please, do. I found the direction of this movie really compelling. And the main actors—Paul Dano and John Cusack as Brian Wilson at different points in his life, and Elizabeth Banks as his last wife and Paul Giamatti as the Svengali Dr. Landy—as well.

When The Beach Boys first put out records I was playing jazz in clubs and an elitist about the music. The Beatles helped me rediscover rock'n'roll when I saw IT'S BEEN A HARD DAY'S NIGHT. But I pretty much dismissed The Beach Boys as California lightweights until a musician friend pointed out that their harmonies were like the WASP version of Gospel music. Like high Episcopalian choral music, Bach Chorale stuff.

I re listened to them and started to appreciate the musicianship in their singing. But it wasn't until my older boy Miles, who spent his teen years surfing the beaches The Beach Boys sing about, sat me down and made me listen to Brian Wilson's mastery in constructing songs and writing lyrics that I finally got it.

I was living in L.A. when Brian was going through the traumas that led to his allowing Dr. Landy to take over his life, and was rooting for him to liberate himself from that, which is a big part of LOVE & MERCY.

Wilson's eventual resurrection and fulfillment makes for one of the most satisfying biopics ever. I dug it so much I intend to go back and see it in the theater again before it moves to the smaller screens. I recommend you do the same.