This is a very intimate, personal and affectionate portrait of Brian Wilson, shot around 1994-95, just after the time when he emerged from his exile from "his room". There's lots to love about this film. There are musicologists describing Brian's unique compositions and chord structures; there are musical legends gushing over the words and music; there are interviews with Brian himself, trying to define just what clicks in his head when a melody comes together (magical stuff there).
What's really missing is the music. There's so much discussion of the recording styles and the genius arranging Brian did in the 60's, but not one second of it in the film. I suppose that footage is expensive and they budget was limited for a TV doc? This film really suffered for it's absence.
Secondly, the entire story of Brian Wilson's descent and revival from mental illness and drug addiction is told without the name Eugene Landy being uttered a single time. At one point someone (cannot remember who) says, "Brian's assistant wouldn't let him talk to anyone for a while, but then that was over". THAT'S IT??? Talk about a whitewash of history! THAT'S the interesting part of this story!
Thirdly, brother Dennis Wilson's death wasn't mentioned at all. In fact, I don't think Dennis' name was mentioned at all in this film. Kind of an important event to gloss over.
The true magic in this film comes at the end, when Brian performs "Do It Again" with his daughters Carney and Wendy on backing vocals. Wilson lights up light a Christmas tree and gives perhaps the most animated and passionate performance of any song I've ever seen out of him. It's really quite a moment.
REALLY strangely, Eugene Landy is given a writing credit on the song "Love and Mercy" in the closing credits. What???.
This film is hard to find, but you might have luck at your local library. It's worth a watch with the understanding that you're not getting the full story.
What's really missing is the music. There's so much discussion of the recording styles and the genius arranging Brian did in the 60's, but not one second of it in the film. I suppose that footage is expensive and they budget was limited for a TV doc? This film really suffered for it's absence.
Secondly, the entire story of Brian Wilson's descent and revival from mental illness and drug addiction is told without the name Eugene Landy being uttered a single time. At one point someone (cannot remember who) says, "Brian's assistant wouldn't let him talk to anyone for a while, but then that was over". THAT'S IT??? Talk about a whitewash of history! THAT'S the interesting part of this story!
Thirdly, brother Dennis Wilson's death wasn't mentioned at all. In fact, I don't think Dennis' name was mentioned at all in this film. Kind of an important event to gloss over.
The true magic in this film comes at the end, when Brian performs "Do It Again" with his daughters Carney and Wendy on backing vocals. Wilson lights up light a Christmas tree and gives perhaps the most animated and passionate performance of any song I've ever seen out of him. It's really quite a moment.
REALLY strangely, Eugene Landy is given a writing credit on the song "Love and Mercy" in the closing credits. What???.
This film is hard to find, but you might have luck at your local library. It's worth a watch with the understanding that you're not getting the full story.
