The trailer for Love and Mercy, a biopic about Brian Wilson – the frontman and co-founder of The Beach Boys – has been released. The film stars Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood), John Cusack (Maps to the Stars), Paul Giamatti (The Amazing Spider-Man 2), and Elizabeth Banks (The Lego Movie), with both Dano and Cusack playing Wilson at different periods in the musician’s life.
Directed by Bill Pohlad, Love and Mercy will highlight Wilson’s life following a series of nervous breakdowns as well as during the height of his days with The Beach Boys. For Pohlad, the film marks a return to the directorial chair after a twenty-five year absence. His last film (the little known Old Explorers) is his only other feature, but Pohlad has made his name as a producer in the industry, having produced critical hits such as Wild, 12 Years A Slave, The Tree of Life, Into the Wild, and Brokeback Mountain.
Paul Giamatti plays Wilson’s radical psychiatrist in the film – who shared an erratic and often harmful relationship with the musician – while Elizabeth Banks plays Wilson’s second wife, Melinda. Between them Giamatti and Banks have two other musical-themed features due out this year. Giamatti has a role in F. Gary Gray’s NWA bipoc Straight Outta Compton, while Banks directed and acted in Pitch Perfect 2.
Love and Mercy premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to a warm reception from audiences, and was ultimately picked up by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions. It’s written by Oren Moverman, who penned 2007’s I’m Not There, another musical biopic in which various actors played the role of musician Bob Dylan. Love and Mercy is set for a theatrical release on June 5th.
Leave a Comment