There have been a lot of documentaries about The Beach Boys.
I mean, a lot.
Off the top of my head, I’m thinking The Beach Boys: An American Band, Endless Harmony, and The Beach Boys: Doin’ It Again. There’s been at least three very, very good documentaries devoted to band’s genius, Brian Wilson – I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times, Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile, and Long Promised Road. There was an ABC dramatic mini-series about the band, and a big screen feature, Love & Mercy, focused on Brian’s life, demons, and ultimate renaissance.
The question that arises, then, is just how necessary is the new Disney+ Thom Zimmy and Frank Marshall-directed film The Beach Boys in 2024? Well, as a long time fan of the band (they rank in my top 5), I was happy to discover that this documentary is not only necessary, but it’s arguably the most appealing and watchable film devoted to the group.
With the participation of founding members Brian Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston and former Beach Boys David Marks and Blondie Chaplin, The Beach Boys is a slick and thoughtful look at the first half of the band’s career, from their genesis and worldwide commercial success, their late-’60s and early ’70s low standing amongst audiences and peers, to their resurgence as a massive touring band that has never really abated. Talking heads such as Janelle Monáe, Don Was, and Ryan Tedder help explain the band’s musical impact and dynamic in a way that’s accessible to viewers, while Josh Kun, a cultural professor at USC Annenberg does an excellent job of giving context to The Beach Boys emergence, explaining how the band’s early music and image helped establish the Southern California dream that would capture the imagination of the world (if this aspect of the band is of interest, do yourself a favour and search out Timothy White’s excellent book The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the Southern Californina Experience.) The Beach Boys also succeeds in giving Dennis, youngest Wilson, Carl, and the rest of the band credit for their contributions to the group’s legacy.
Certain aspects of the The Beach Boys’ history are glanced over – while their milestone album Pet Sounds is covered, the issues behind its lost follow-up Smile aren’t given as much time as one would hope, as are the larger issues that would see Brian Wilson’s involvement with the group lessen. Inner band turmoil, the stuff of gossip and legend, is touched upon, though, as was founding member and middle Wilson brother Dennis’s interaction with Charles Manson and his family.
There are heroes and villains in the story of The Beach Boys, and usually Mike Love is the one who comes out the latter. However, seeing the emotions he displays during a quiet moment when he talks about his affection for his cousin and collaborator is affecting. Love him or hate him, Love has kept the band on the road for over sixty years and has co-written some of the most enduring music of the era.
Ultimately, The Beach Boys is a near perfect reflection on America’s Band, highlighting their cultural significance and incredibly enduring catalogue of music. It’s a great introduction for new fans, of which there always seem be, while even longtime ones will likely learn a thing or two.