WOW

Wow indeed. I loved this film and am happy Brian Wilson eventually found enough emotional security to recreate and finish his 1966-67 project -- Smile. But it is sad to think of what could have been had Mike Love embraced the project instead of resisting it at the time, and Brian had someone more effective close by to help him deal with his early paranoia. Good Vibrations, Heros and Villians, and Surf's Up give an excellent preview of what the greater work could have been with Brian in his mid-20's at the top of his game and with the other Beach Boys actively engaged, emotionally supportive, and adding to the work. In the documentary disc, the segment showing a younger Brian alone singing and playing Surf's Up was stunningly beautiful and powerful. It is possible that a completed 1967 Beach Boys Smile album would have been an even greater cultural and pop success than Sgt Peppers and cemented the Beach Boys' legacy as one of the two most important rock/pop groups of all time (the only one arguably better being the Beatles). Instead, they are often considered too lightweight to be included in the same league as other greats, such as the Stones, Who, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Led Zeppelin, and Doors. Need more evidence? Listen to the last three songs on the 2nd side of the 1971 Beach Boys album "Surf's Up" -- all amazing compositions produced by Brian during this 1966-67 timeframe, but released several years later on an uneven collection.