Legendary music icon and The Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson has passed at the age of 82. The music industry and fans have been mourning his death and celebrating his legacy as an all-time great artist.
Wilson was praised for his novel approaches to pop composition and producing techniques. He is considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time due to his innovative style and unique production values.
Here are the five Brian Wilson movies and documentaries you can watch in honor of his life and legacy.
Love & Mercy
The 2014 biopic Love & Mercy explored the life of Brian Wilson and his mental health struggles during the 1960s and 1980s. Paul Dano and John Cusack played the music icon in different eras.
The film was widely praised by critics for its unconventional storytelling and Dano's performance (who received a Golden Globe nomination). Wilson gave his support to the film even if watching it was a "bad experience."
Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road
The 2021 documentary Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road follows Wilson reliving the past as he drives around Los Angeles with Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine. Other music icons were also interviewed to discuss Wilson's influence.
Critics praised the film for its unique way of exploring Wilson's past and the bantering between the music icon and Fine. However, some of them have also noted that there wasn't a lot of revelatory information about Wilson.
Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
The 1995 documentary Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times explores the ups and downs of Wilson's life, including his struggles with substance abuse and his recovery in the years after.
The filmmakers of Love & Mercy have stated that this was their inspiration when they made the biopic and recommended that this could be the "companion piece" that fans could watch.
The Beach Boys
The Disney+ documentary The Beach Boys celebrates the work and legacy of Wilson's band, The Beach Boys. All surviving members were interviewed for the film.
Most critics praised the documentary for its nostalgic view and for being accessible to non-fans. However, there were also criticisms of the omissions that they've made to the story of the band.
Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
The 2004 documentary Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile chronicled the making of the Beach Boys' unfinished Smile album and Brian Wilson Presents Smile, which was released during that year.
The film featured interviews with Wilson and some of his associates and other icons in the music industry. However, none of the surviving members of The Beach Boys made an appearance.
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