One of the first things I had ever posted on Burning Wood, actually it was the second thing in September of 2008, was a very unflattering review of Brian Wilson's "That Lucky Old Sun" and his solo output in general. 14 years later, my feeling hadn't changed much...until last night...while watching the American Masters documentary on Brian, "Long Promised Road."
I found myself lost, and at times emotional enough to hit pause and gather myself. This is not another film about the Beach Boys. This is a film about a person, his struggles and his often heartbreaking life that just happens to be soundtracked by some of history's greatest pop music.
Music journalist and friend of Brian Wilson, Jason Fine, is the hero of this film. It is Fine's patience and his god-like approach to handling this incredibly fragile genius, that makes this film a beautiful and very different account of what we think we've heard so many times before. I have seen interviews with Brian Wilson, previous documentaries like "An American Band" and "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times," and I have never seen Brian the way he is seen in this film. Watching Jason Fine ask questions so naturally and then just as naturally, reacting to Brian, who at various times is visibly shaken, stunned and broken, is as awe-inspiring as any of Brian's brilliant music.
Brian and Jason drive around, visiting places from Wilson's past, like his old home, or the setting for the cover of "Surfin' Safari." Jason asks Brian what music he wants to hear in the car. Brian's requests and then his reactions while listening would sustain another two hour documentary, especially upon hearing brother Dennis's "Pacific Ocean Blue" for the first time.
There is also a 5 minute stretch featuring Don Was in the studio, deconstructing "God Only Knows" that put me over the edge. I've always thought the song was a masterpiece, but these brief minutes, did something else. I can now stop tossing out the word "genius" like a t-shirt gun at a sports event, and use it with more confidence than I ever have before.
Brian Wilson is a genius.
I can never explain fully why I can listen to music on a Monday and not be moved, and then listen to that same music on a Thursday and love it like no other. I guess we have all experienced that, based on moods, weather and personal circumstance. For years, I thought "Love & Mercy" was overrated and that we as Brian fans were just being kind and respectful. After watching "Long Promised Road," "Love & Mercy" feels completely different to me in all the best ways.
19 comments:
I would really like to know why "What A Fool Believes" terrifies him.
I thought it was a remarkable, moving documentary. Really well done.
There were two moments,however, where I was physically uncomfortable watching: (1) where they delved back into the abuse Brian received from his father (also wasn't 100% sure of what triggered that section of the doc other than listening to playback of something they had recorded - - does he always feel that way when he makes new music now?), and (2) where Brian learned that a former collaborator/friend had died several years ago - - I felt they stayed on Brian a little too long during that segment; it felt kind of invasive on a person's personal grieving after a point.
The rest was terrific, informative, emotional, and moving. And I have always loved 'Love and Mercy' from the first time I heard it. :)
Sal, Thanks for writing about this. I hadn't heard about it and it really is everything you said it was.
Thanks again!
Agreed. A truly magnificent little film that captures the man, and his suffering and his joy.
Well, I’m gonna watch that, obviously.
Why "What A Fool Believes" scares Brian: Because in his particular way of viewing the world, due in part (largely?) to having a father who was both enormously supportive and enormously destructive, whose love was always laced with hatred/violence/the urge to destroy, feelings of love and fear are interchangeable. Love elicits fear. The intensity of fear is the same as the overwhelm of love.
When I interviewed Brian about how it felt to debut 'Smile' in concert after so many years, and to receive a ten-minute ovation in its wake, he immediately said it was "scary." How could it be scary, wasn't it wonderful? He thought for a minute: "It was GOOD scary," he said.
Good scary.
I recall in the mid 70s, when the music press was being unkind to him, as was the public in general, mainly due to ignorance of what mental ilnnes really does to a person. Having dealt with that affliction and a member of my immediate family, I have only the briefest sense of what it does to a [erson and its scary as hell - and scary not in a good way. I'm glad he's lived long enough to get hear the praise he so richly deserves.
Thanks for alerting us about this film, Sal. I'm on the look out for it over here in Spain.
I caught this Doc a while ago, and to me it was interesting, sad, unsettling and cringe worthy. Now yes, we all love him for the musical contribution and accomplishments that he's made.
But frankly, If he wasn't "Brian Wilson" this poor mentally cracked, warped and damaged human being should've been committed for extreme help to a psychiatric facility or institution a very long time ago.
FD13NYC - Maybe you need to reconsider your willingness to tolerate people whose brains work differently from yours. Brian is definitely a fragile guy, arguably a troubled soul. He has psychiatric problems that he's spent years/decades working on, and in recent decades he's had a lot of appropriate help - medication, therapy, etc. And he remains a busy, productive guy, even despite his problems.
Just finished watching. I shed tears of joy listening to Don Was playing the vocal arrangement to "God Only Knows" and being in awe of how someone could create something so profoundly beautiful. Then I cried when he shed tears of unrelieved sadness while parked outside of Carl's house. And there was everything in between. I kept thinking of the Roy Wood song "Why Does a Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs" but in my mind I inverted it to "Why Does Such a Sad Guy Sing Those Pretty Songs". All I wanted to do was hug him and make all his demons go away. I want give him back the life and happiness he overwhelmingly deserves for what he has given us.
I can't say I enjoyed it because I'm a mess but it is the best portrait I've seen of him
.
Peter Ames Carlin
I don't need to reconsider anything. I was merely stating that if he weren't a highly considered celebrity he would be just another mental casualty floating around in this world.
And I don't have willingness to tolerate people like you.
Thanks, Sal, for the tip. Can't wait to check it out.
That cover today -- Marshall on Bruce -- is so great!
Of course I have both versions AND / YET / STILL it is so good to be reminded what's in my library.
Thanks Sal
Thanks for the heads up! I can on demand it for free for the next few days, so it'll be a good one to watch on a rainy holiday weekend.
I agree with your moods etc. affecting how I feel about music comment- I wasn't thrilled with something I heard early on in Brian's solo career, and all the articles I read focused more on his mental & father issues than the music, so I ignored him for a long time, instead of listening to more of the music, which I eventually did. I thought "Love & Mercy" was great, once I got past Jon Cusack never being able to resemble Brian, except with CGI. You'd think they would have tried to age Paul Dano. Elizabeth Banks having a lot of screen time helped.
FD13NYC - You seem nice.
Here's a great listen & watch- Brian Wilson "Smile" live-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UbNwhm2EX8
It's sad that making his beautiful music has caused so much grief for him. If only he had been allowed to make it without the drama caused by the band he was in, family issues, financial pressures, and all of the other bullshit he had to go through to create it.
BW's story isn't near tragic because of anything he's done. It's been caused by people around him.
That state of play continues to this day. He shouldn't be on the road at his age. It's about money, as it's always been.
I haven't watched this movie. I'm not sure I want to. I probably will. I don't know.
I wish him all the best with the time he has left. He deserves that much, if not more for the musical joy he has given the world.
I watched last night...Sad but beautiful. You actually see him hearing what he wants the band to hear. Loved it.
I thought this was extraordinary. I agree with everything Sal said, but I think a great deal of credit also goes to Brian for allowing this. It’s an incredibly vulnerable picture.
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