At seventy-two years old, Brian Wilson has lived through a lot. Beyond being an extremely influential musical genius and a founding member of The Beach Boys, Wilson escaped an abusive childhood and drug addiction, had several nervous breakdowns, lost two brothers, and has overcome a world full of band tension and exploitation.
The first teaser trailer for Love & Mercy, a brand-new biopic about the California sound mastermind, was just released this week, and the soundtrack alone will send shivers up your spine. Directed by Bill Pohlad, the film follows a young Wilson (played by uncanny Wilson lookalike Paul Dano) as he and The Beach Boys become musical legends and begin to experiment with sound, as well as an older Wilson (played by John Cusack) connecting with his soon-to-be wife (Elizabeth Banks) and becoming one with himself.
While one of the major issues with most biopics is trying (and failing) to fit all of the landmark moments of an icon’s life into two or three hours, from the roughly one-minute trailer it seems like Love & Mercy has honed in on the most impactful memories and myths about the musician including the recording of Pet Sounds, the infamous Smile sessions, and Wilson’s personal indoor sandbox. With Wilson himself onboard as one of the producers, the film is sure to set the record straight about a couple of things, whetting the appetite of Beach Boys fans around the world.
Love & Mercy will be in theaters on June 5.
