The Beach Boys: An American Family (2000) (TV)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Jeff Bleckner

Writer (WGA):

Kirk Ellis (written by)

Release Date:

27 February 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Plot:

This movie re-creates the life stories of the members of the rock group "The Beach Boys. The film focuses...

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Nervous Breakdown | Physical Abuse

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Kevin Dunn	...	Murry Wilson
Jessica Shannon	...	Concert Girl
Fred Weller	...	Brian Wilson (as Frederick Weller)
Alley Mills	...	Audree Wilson
Nick Stabile	...	Dennis Wilson
Emmanuelle Vaugier	...	Pamela
Ryan Northcott	...	Carl Wilson
Matt Letscher	...	Mike Love
Ned Vaughn	...	Al Jardine
Dublin James	...	Dave Marks
Jesse Caron	...	Bruce Johnston
Amy Van Horne	...	Marilyn Rovell
Jad Mager	...	Nik Venet
Eric Matheny	...	Chuck Britz
Harris Laskaway	...	Voyle Gilmore

Runtime:

240 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Bruin Grip Services

Trivia:

During scenes in which Brian Wilson is demoing "I Get Around" and "In My Room," the real Brian Wilson contributes the vocal, recorded specifically for this movie. However, an uncredited Jeffrey Foskett, a member of Brian Wilson's touring band, provides the high notes during the "In My Room" demo.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During a show which takes place sometime before 1963, the Wilson brothers' mom takes pictures of them, using a 110-format Instamatic camera. The 110 film format was invented a few years later than 1963.

Quotes:

Murry Wilson: Merry Christmas, mom.
Grandma Edith Wilson: And to you. My goodness, don't you look well? Buddy, doesn't Murry look well?
Murry Wilson: Merry Christmas, dad.
Buddy Wilson: Nice house your sister has. At least one of you made something of yourself.
Grandma Edith Wilson: Please, Buddy. It's Christmas.
Buddy Wilson: Someone talking to you?
Murry Wilson: It's always good to see you, mom.

Soundtrack:

SURFIN' SAFARI

Highly enjoyable

Before watching ANY made-for-TV movie, one must know that, on average, TV-movies have never been that great. So, now that that's out of the way, I'll get to the review.

The way Brian Wilson discovers that "Beach Boys" sound was very convincing. It didn't seem abridged, it felt real. The acting, for the most part, was top-notch. The actor who portrayed musical genius Brian Wilson, while likeable, could have used a few acting lessons. However, the part of Mike Love was dead-on.

The film is very enjoyable, and really "connects" any music listener to the Beach Boys, and especially Brian Wilson. It was only after watching this film that I truly began to realize that Wilson was a true genius, perhaps one of the best writers/musicians to come out of the 20th Century. I KNEW he was good, but it is really only now that I know just how influential he really was/is to the music industry.

Things did get corny, however, but remember -- this IS a TV movie. The first half of this miniseries is far superior to the second.

Also, I must complain about the horrible under-use of the Carl Wilson character. Carl, the Beach Boys' strong and steady voice of reason, deserved alot more than what he was given in this film. Carl would go on to lead the band in the 80s and 90s, and he was the most stable of the Wilson brothers -- don't you think his dedication warrants a little more "air time"? I do.

To focus more on the positives, however, all the actors and characters are likeable, and I found this miniseries to have some generally touching moments.

Overall, a great watch. If you appreciate good music, and if you are a fan of the Beach Boys (casual or fanatic), you should buy this TV-movie whenever it becomes available to buy on video.