We saw it yesterday. It is a wonderful/powerful movie. Two actors play Wilson. The young "wunderkind" Wilson (Paul Dano), and the older "shell-shocked" Wilson (John Cusak). We thought both actors were phenomenal. Not so much portrayals, but "conjurings."
The movie just oozes with telling detail. Really catches the era of the Beach Boy's 60's. And the odd, disjointed, authoritarian aftermath.
I openly weeped. I felt so sorry for Brian Wilson - a gifted, talented sensitive boy bullied and hounded, and pushed around by just about everyone in his orbit. There is the Wilson myth - sensitive, misunderstood artist, ripped apart and destroyed by lesser minds - monstrous people - jealous of his talent, manipulating and feeding off him.
There is a "second act." Wilson did find a measure of "love and mercy," and that's part of the story too. Highly recommended.
