Love & Mercy stands out among biopics for its unusual approach in portraying the life of its subject, Brian Wilson. Effortlessly jumping back and forth between Wilson’s tortured youth in the midst of musical triumphs (a brilliant Paul Dano) and his later years of abusive treatment under the guise of mental illness (a great John Cusack), the film highlights the pain of an artist reaching out through his music to anyone who will listen. The person who hears him through all his pain and awkwardness is Cadillac saleswomen Melinda Ledbetter (a great Elizabeth Banks), who embodies not only physical acts of mercy in her dealings with Brian, but also provides an unexpected second chance for him to rebuild his life, reminiscent of the spiritual mercy offered to us all by God.
—Evan Cogswell
Arts & Faith Lists:
2016 Top 25 Films on Mercy