Love & Mercy 2015

1960s Studio Recording

The film opens in the 1960s, showcasing the creative process of The Beach Boys as they record their music in the studio. Brian Wilson expresses his desire to remain at home writing music instead of touring with the band, and his brothers reluctantly agree to let him pursue this path.

Brian's Song Experiment

Brian plays a snippet of the song 'God Only Knows' to his father, who was also their former manager. Despite Brian's hopes for validation, his father harshly critiques the piece, undermining Brian's confidence in his abilities as a songwriter.

Struggles with Band Members

Tensions arise within the band as Brian's cousin Mike Love voices his discontent regarding the experimental direction of Brian's music. Mike feels that the other musicians are not contributing enough, which leads to further disagreements and frustration among the band members.

Substance Abuse and Isolation

As the band's drug use escalates, Brian finds himself increasingly struggling with his mental health. He begins to hear voices, and his once coherent music starts to dissolve into chaos, affecting both his personal and professional life.

Creation of Good Vibrations

In a drug-induced state, Brian composes the iconic song 'Good Vibrations' during a recording session. This moment highlights his brilliance, but it is also marked by the deterioration of his mental state as he grapples with creative pressures.

Dinner Party Breakdown

At a dinner party celebrating the success of 'Good Vibrations', Brian suffers a severe episode triggered by overwhelming sounds. His brothers watch in horror as he spirals into a near-comatose state, illustrating the toll of his mental struggles.

Father's Betrayal

In a devastating turn, Brian's father informs him that he has sold off all of The Beach Boys' music rights for $750,000. This betrayal adds to Brian's feelings of isolation and further complicates his relationship with his family and his music.

Brian's Breakdown

As the years pass, Brian ultimately experiences a complete mental breakdown, resulting in him retreating from public life for three years. This period of withdrawal is marked by a deepening struggle with his identity and artistic vision.

Meeting Melinda in the 1980s

Transitioning to the late 1980s, Brian meets Melinda Ledbetter at a Cadillac dealership. Although he acts strangely and expresses a desire for a car right off the showroom floor, this encounter sets the stage for a significant relationship in his life.

Strange Date with Melinda

During their first date, Brian arrives with his doctor and bodyguard, Dr. Eugene 'Gene' Landy, creating a peculiar atmosphere. As they share a meal, Brian reveals painful memories of his abusive past, demonstrating the ongoing impact of his struggles.

Moments of Connection

Brian invites Melinda to his Malibu home, where he plays her a tune he just composed for her. However, their romantic moments are frequently interrupted by Gene, who enforces a rigid control over Brian’s life and medication.

Melinda's Dilemma

Melinda begins to realize the extent of Gene's control over Brian’s life when she meets Gloria, the housekeeper. Gloria reveals that Brian is overmedicated, fueling Melinda's desire to help him escape Gene's influence.

The Turning Point

Melinda learns from another confidant that Brian wishes to see her away from Gene's supervision. They share an intimate moment at the studio, but Gene's sudden appearance forces Brian to retreat from the very freedom Melinda offered.

Gene's Manipulation Uncovered

Determined to free Brian, Melinda uncovers Gene's manipulative power of attorney that keeps him in control. She reaches out to Brian's family, emphasizing the urgency of rescuing him from Gene's grasp as he has isolated himself from them for years.