How do you rid yourself of writer’s block? Go wild in someone else’s playground. I’m sending big love to all you creative spirits, rumbling around the earth, causing the best kind of ruckus.
First up, run, leap or scooter on down to see Love and Mercy. I’m still flying high on the buzz from a trippy look at the life of musician Brian Wilson, one that will change forever the way I hear music from the Beach Boys. Sad, sweet, and utterly unnerving, the film tracks back and forth between Wilson as a young composer/performer, here depicted by the fascinating Paul Dano, and later, as a mentally unstable troubled figure, brought to life by John Cusack. Rounding out an excellent cast are the always superb Paul Giamatti, as a very creepy Svengali, and Elizabeth Banks, as the woman who might just save this tormented musician. A high point for me was the brilliant layering of sound-a reason alone to see the film. Don’t go in expecting a traditional narrative. Do go to see a first rate attempt to explore creative process itself, a beast to unravel on screen.
Some of the moments come off as a little suspect and I have no idea how much of the film is accurate, but it didn’t matter to me. As a creative exercise, it’s astonishing,
Brian Wilson experimented a lot with psychedelic drugs. Maybe his mind looked a little like this.
Suddenly, my childhood jungle gym is looking lame. For more on that wild museum, read here.
Meanwhile, some artists need a bigger canvas for painting.
Finally, there are many ways to get high. These folks found a way. Made me smile.
Batteries charged. Hurrah.
Happy Hump Day.
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