'Love & Mercy' brings Beach Boys' Brian Wilson's story to life

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The new film "Love & Mercy" offers movie and music fans plenty of "good vibrations."

The film chronicles the rhythmic rise of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys in the 60s, as well as his darker times in the 80s.

In the early years, he's played by actor Paul Dano. The film also jumps ahead two years to see an older Wilson, played by actor John Cusack.

"I feel like it was a great way to approach Brian and his story, and not just trying to do birth to present day," Dano said.

The two actors, along with Elizabeth Banks, who plays Wilson's second wife Melinda, were all fans of the Beach Boys' music, but it's when they all dug a little deeper that they discovered so much more.

"In terms of his true personal journey, his story, his challenges, I didn't know anything and he is such an amazing survivor and so deserving of a story being told," Banks said.

"More than one, probably," laughed Cusack.

Dano agreed. "To see somebody have that much joy in music, but so much struggle in their life, you couldn't write it. It's hard to believe actually."

The three actors got to meet Wilson and were roundly impressed and honored just to be around him.

"He's a mystical Cheshire cat of an enigma of a man, but so sweet and friendly. I've never heard him say a bad word about anybody," Cusack observed.

"Brian is a very honest person. He kinda says what he's thinking and feeling," Dano said. "I remember seeing the film sitting close to him, and then afterwards he went 'That's a really good movie!' and I went, 'Ahh! Thank God.'"

"Love and Mercy" also stars Paul Giamatti and will be in theaters in limited release on Friday, June 5.