Well, hello there, kind folks. If you’re visiting this blog of mine, I presume that you have a certain interest in the cinema. As for me, even since my early childhood, I have had a deep love of everything related to movies and television. As far as I can remember, I have been more at ease in front of a screen than in the yard, outside, playing. It is a great way to travel, though other people’s stories, without having to foot any kind of steep bill. Over the years, I feel that movie-watching has even fuelled my own creativity.

All that being said, I welcome you in my Cinephile’s Nest. I hope you enjoy it here, feel free to come back at any time. Here you will find reviews of current movies and older ones. TV shows also. Some classics that have remained some of my favourites, some that have disappointed me. I will use a very basic star (*) system to grade them from 1 to 5 (5 being sliced bread level). Remember, these are just my tastes. I will try to explain in each review what I liked about these particular movies, without giving spoilers.

Il y aura aussi des critiques en français pour les films francophones, car j'aime également le cinéma dans ma langue maternelle. Avant d'apprendre l'anglais, plus jeune, je louais des tonnes de films traduits en français, surtout ceux de Bud Spencer et Terrence Hill. Ma mère a eu le choc de sa vie lorsqu'un jour, dans la boîte d'un de ces films, Deep Throat avait malencontreusement inséré. Une expérience formatrice pour le jeune cinéphile que je suis.

Bienvenue à tous, amusez-vous bien.

I welcome you all here, enjoy yourself.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Love & Mercy (2014)

 

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Bill Pohlad
Starring: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti 
Running time: 121 minutes

 


This biographical film goes over two periods of the life of co-creator and leader of The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson. The focus is on the late 60’s, around the creation of the Pet Sounds album, and on the late 80’s, when Wilson was in the controversial 24-hour therapy program of Dr. Eugene Landy. We also see how Wilson would meet Melinda Ledbetter, the woman he is still married to today.

I find the story of Brian Wilson fascinating. In some ways, I can relate to some of it. Thankfully, I did not suffer the abuse he did in my own family. Sadly, I don’t have his musical genius. But, I can understand the alienation from the world around me too.

This was a solid film. While he was not involved, Wilson himself was pleased. So was his wife. It seems the filmmakers did not embellish much, which is good. The flow through the 60’s and 80’s was pretty seamless, back and forth. The story was compelling and it was beautifully told.

My only issue with the film is the choice of Cusack to play Wilson in the 80’s. I did not feel much of a transformational effort to sink into the role. It felt like I was seeing John Cusack asking us to pretend he is Brian Wilson. Dano, on the other hand, was a great choice to play Wilson in the 60’s. Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti were really good in their respective roles.

Overall, a great film with less-than-perfect casting.

Rating: ««««

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