Hazel Motes

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Despite the miscasting of John Cusack and Paul Dano, I thought this was a really good film. I've always loved The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson. It's really sad all the stuff Brian has had to endure in his life. On a more selfish note I really wish Brian could have finished Smile back in 67. I really like Smiley Smile and Brian's 2004 Smile. But that album is still the white whale of modern music. One that even with all the hype and myth it garnered over the years, probably would have met and exceeded expectations.

PS Fuck Mike Love.

wendersfan

Paul Dano was certainly not miscast. he was magnificent as a Pet Sounds-era Wilson.

I also enjoyed it a lot.

Greg MacGuffin

I saw this a few weeks ago and enjoyed it quite a bit. It avoids a lot of the Walk Hard-style cliches, and I thought the parallel structure worked really well.

Count Dooku

This is the first movie I can remember in a long time that I thought was too short.

I thought Dano was excellent. I liked that they tried to avoid the cliches to show his "crazy" behavior and made it more of a personal dramatic struggle.

I thought Cusack was very good. I thought Banks was a little miscast for such a dramatic role.

EddieMoney

Saw last night. Really enjoyed it. Dano stole the show. Cusack's best work in years as well. Great film.

Unclejosh

I really liked this movie. Having knowing almost nothing about the Beach Boys and the history, I found it fascinating to the point that after the movie I spent hours looking up facts and watching videos of various studio sessions and interviews. The Diane Sawyer piece from 1991 was particularly interesting to show what a scumbag Landy was.

Daytripper

I did almost the exact same thing. After watching the movie, which I thought was great, I spent hours Googling more about the Beach Boys.

Chrisedge

Just saw this last night...only one page of discussion for this? Surprised as it was really well done...

Mabuse

I'll discuss it once I've seen it. Haven't gotten around to it yet.

writer106

I saw that Diane Sawyer interview a few years ago and I agree, Landy was a total scumbag. Old articles about the Wilson's family attempt to get Landy away are online and other people who were screwed over by Landy went public with their stories.

Years ago, in late 90s or early 00s, ABC did a mini-series on the Beach Boys and Brian's mental health issues were touched upon a bit, as well the issues with Murry Wilson. VH1 and VH1 Classic used to air that mini-series a couple of times a year. I do recommend it.

As for this biopic, I watched it earlier today and I enjoyed it. Dano and Cusack were good casting choices.

mphtrilogy

Just caught this on Amazon Prime. Very solid watch.

dex14

I remember seeing this at the tail of end of last year as a rental. It surprised the hell out of me how good it was.

Decker

Lost in all the #OscarsSoWhite controversy was the fact that Paul Dano got the biggest acting snub this year.

dom56

I agreed, Paul Dano should have got at least a best supporting actor nominees.

Decker

Sad update from the real Brian Wilson :

X - Formerly Twitter

Elizabeth Banks played Melinda in the movie.

dex14

That's a shame.

Since you bumped this thread... I'll plug the director's new movie, Dreamin' Wild, which is worth checking out: https://forum.dvdtalk.com/movie-talk...s-messina.html