Love & Mercy

If you want a drama that takes its characters as seriously as its plot, Love & Mercy is available in the US on Kanopy and Hoopla right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Paul Dano leads a cast that never overplays its hand. Available now on Kanopy — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Love & Mercy is worth clearing space for. Character-driven storytelling at its most effective — Love & Mercy earns every emotional beat it goes for. 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, under the sway of a controlling therapist, he finds a savior in Melinda Ledbetter. Paul Dano and John Cusack lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2015. The performances in Love & Mercy do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with Love & Mercy. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Paul Dano is the centre of it, and it is one of their strongest performances on record. The patience it asks of you early on is paid back with interest.