I would rather say it's a sentimental film than a good one. Brian Wilson is brilliantly portrayed by Paul Dano and John Cusack but sadly the two periods of time are not coherent. Personally I think when people get older they tend to appreciate the beach boys better.
FANTASTIC. the suburban world, sex, femininity, tv, her small protest when she walked out the dance audition, fantastic shaky cam. colors. california dreamin dance. only problem: when she cried over the dead horse and the boy said "it was only 16" - heavy handed metaphor