Love & Mercy

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2:30

Love & Mercy

PG-13

2015

2h 0m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

214 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In the late 1960s, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson stops touring, produces "Pet Sounds" and begins to lose his grip on reality. By the 1980s, Wilson, under the sway of a controlling therapist, finds a savior in Melinda Ledbetter.

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Critics Consensus

As unconventional and unwieldy as the life and legacy it honors, Love & Mercy should prove moving for Brian Wilson fans while still satisfying neophytes.

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Max Weiss

Baltimore Magazine

06/10/2016

3/4

Love & Mercy is one of the most convincing depictions of the creative process and the effects of mental illness I've seen in a long time.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

05/28/2016

It is (among its many virtues) wonderfully not boilerplate.

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

07/12/2015

4/5

That so much of it rings true is a credit to the film-makers; that Wilson lived some (if not all) of it is a reminder of his matchless alchemical magic.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

07/20/2025

4/5

"Love and Mercy" diverts from the birth-to-death formula and gives us something meaty, fascinating, difficult, and worthwhile.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

11/18/2023

There's a lot of history packed in here... but director Bill Pohald is just as interested in exploring Wilson's creative process...

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/23/2022

4/5

“Love & Mercy” is a very inward-looking biopic. It is much more interested in showing the inner brilliance of Brian Wilson on a creative level as well as the mental and emotional turmoil that sends his life careening out of control.

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Michael S

@DetroitCineaste Jul 24

Like all biopics, Love & Mercy is on the side of its subject and victim, Brian Wilson, the founder of the Beach Boys. The story it tells of abuse, love and survival is familiar, but the movie transcends the formula through its time-weaving narrative, its craft and several career best performances among the cast. Highly Recommended. detroitcineaste

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james T

@James8mm Jul 22

Not an easy business being a successful group. Leeches want to take advantage of you. Brain was truly gifted . He faced mental health issues ,made worse by a charlatan who wanted control of Brain. Great music, cast is excellent. Beach Boys were unique in their time. Very good movie.

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Marty H.

@Mimi1955 Feb 28

Wonderful movie!! Acting is perfect all the way around. One of the best biopic movies Ive seen.

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Nevin C

@nevincaulfield Nov 17

In the Top 2 best musician "biopics" I’ve ever seen (if you can even call it that?). Snubbed by the Oscars. This was an overachievement in performance and storytelling. R.I.P. Brian

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Scott M

@RT75128960 Aug 30

Biography about Brian Wilson that is just downright awful. The acting is embarrassing. Especially John Cusack. Paul Giamatti is good as usual but his character really has nothing to say. Made to pacify a lot of Beach Boys fans.

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THE NASHVILLE I

@Nshvlleindie 06/12/2025

In honor of Brian…this is a film I’ve seen several times, and it truly has something for everyone. Fun and uplifting, educationally fascinating from one of the greatest bands, but deeply moving within the heart. Dano gave an Oscar performance, Cusack nailed his later years, and honestly Banks gives her career best. It’s a crime the studio completely bailed on this movie, and gave it disgustingly little PR, otherwise it’d be a classic to all.

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Bill Pohlad

Director

John Cusack

Older Brian Wilson

Paul Dano

Young Brian Wilson

Elizabeth Banks

Melinda Ledbetter

Paul Giamatti

Dr. Eugene Landy

Jake Abel

Mike Love

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72%

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72%

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Love & Mercy: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the late 1960s, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson stops touring, produces "Pet Sounds" and begins to lose his grip on reality. By the 1980s, Wilson, under the sway of a controlling therapist, finds a savior in Melinda Ledbetter.

Director: Bill Pohlad
Producer: Claire Rudnick Polstein, John Wells
Screenwriter: Michael A. Lerner
Distributor: Lionsgate Films, Roadside Attractions
Production Co: River Road, Battle Mountain Films
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Drug Content|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 5, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.5M
Runtime: 2h 0m

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