Customer Reviews

Brian Wilson - I Just Wasn't Made for These Times

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What is this video? It is part first-person documentary, and part appreciation, made in the mid-90s when Wilson finally seemed to be finding the peace of mind that stays with him today. (His obviously devoted new wife stays beside him for much of the footage. Dr. Landy, who basically saved Brian's life according to Brian's 1991 autobiography, is now out of the picture and is never mentioned by name.) The entire thing is filmed in very arty, hard-lit black-and-white. There is no narration except for that of the inteviewees, and not much archival footage of the Beach Boys. What we get instead is Brian himself giving us brief, converstional summaries of periods of his life and songwriting inspiration, supplemented by comments from his mother, his ex-wife Marilyn, and his brother Carl (who died a few years after this film was made in the mid-nineties.) There are also some enlightening musical analysis from someone (I'm not sure who he is), and appreciative comments from fellow musicians ranging from Wilson collaborators Tony Asher and Van Dyke Parks, to David Crosby, John Cale, Tom Petty, and Linda Ronstadt. Wilson's daughters also comment briefly on their relationship with their Dad, and sing with him at the end. Throughout the film, certain excellent old songs of Brian are briefly discussed and then we get good footage of Brian performing the songs with a new studio band in Hollywood. (The performances, produced by Don Was, are very good, and fans might want to consider buying the soundtrack CD of this film. Fans expecting to hear the original Beach Boy recordings will not find them here.) Parts of the film feel like surreal arthouse filmmaking - silent closeups of Audree Wilson's face behind sunglasses as she gropes for words, odd footage of Brian and his mother and brother singing "In my Room" at the piano, Linda Ronstadt in a spotlight dressed in a puffy costume for some unknown theatrical show... Overall this is not a definitive documentary of Wilson's life or work by any means, but it does give you a good idea of why this odd man is so beloved and why his work is so important.

This documentary captures Brian Wilson as he is today -- mature, brilliant, still disturbed but clearly holding it together and still making music. Brian comes across as human and vulnerable, a modest man who quite literally changed the world. The unabashadly glowing tributes afforded him by such rock luminaries as David Crosby, Graham Nash, Tom Petty, Linda Rondstadt and others demonstrate the high regard Brian is held in by people who understand rock and roll music and its impact on our culture. These folks know the score and they're here to tell you that Brian Wilson is the man.

Any Brian Wilson or Beach Boys fan should enjoy this wonderful film. More to the point, anybody who thinks Brian Wilson or The Beach Boys are lightweight or irrelevant should invest a couple of hours watching this film. It is simply outstanding.

Brian Wilson-The Heart and Soul of one of the greatest american rock bands of all time, the Beach Boys. Though the Beach Boys stand among rock's elite enshrined forever within the Rock N' Roll of Fame, It was Brian WIlson's genius, his vision and his dictatorial quest of perfection thats what gotten them there.

Brain Wilson, an ubused child, grew up in the hedonistic environment of sunny California, were the 50's and early sixties placed california not only as a state-but as a state of mind. In time, Brian Wilson obtained the knack of songwriting and in return gave us timeless music; "surfer Girl", "I Get around", "California Girls", "Good Vibrations" and the monumental songcycle Pet Sounds-just to name a few. What he got in return was dissension, pain and mental illness. Though he has made a somewhat recovery from his illness, he still suffers today. Though still spirited and active, it is painfully obvious that his best days and work are clearly behind him. He has made brief well-produced efforts: his first self titled solo album (1989) and the recent Imagination (1998). This Video also has an improptu performance of wilson and Van Dyke Parks with "Orange Crate Art" from the 1995 album of the same name. Don Was captured wilson as a tired, but enlightened old warhorse, his looks and voice now more mellow, more tattered than the adrenilene-drenched 21 year old whose pristine voice, four-part harmony, and inventive bass patterns propelled him and his band to legendary status.

The video recounts the Beach Boys heyday, culminating with the 1966 Melody Maker poll of the band being the "number one world's best band" over the Beatles. Equally touching is the participation of his daughters Carnie and Wendy (of Wilson-Phillips) on the 1968 hit "Do it Again", were Wilson still has the chops and has fun showing them off. Other performances-such as "Caroline No" and "Til I Die" recount Wilsons Highs and lows without any nuance of nostalgia.

The video was primarily intended to educate fans and inquirers of who Brian Wilson was and what contributions he's made to rock and pop. Often written-off as a burnt-out, crazy sixties drug addict, the film gives a new dimension (one without Beach Boy limitations)to the man and the artist. This film, originally presented on cable's Disney Channel, serves as a document-a sort of snapshot-to how Brian Wilson emerged from mental illness and craziness to a model of self-respect and self-dignity that everyone can appreciate.

I'm just young enough to have missed the Beach Boys when they hit big the first time around, but was right on schedule when the double LP, "Endless Summer" recharged their careers. Now they've gone through how ever many different incarnations, and Brian Wilson has been tabloid fodder many times over the past 10 years or so.

Famed music-producer Don Was decided it was his honor to pay tribute to a man who, indeed, was a musical genius, a man who's artistry influenced so, so many, both in the music business, and beyond.

In different ways, Keith Richards, through `Hail, Hail, Rock and Roll' (the life of Chuck Berry), and Bruce Springsteen, with his `Roy Orbison, A Black and White Night' made wonderful, lasting tributes to men who's musical contributions were cornerstone to a generation. After watching this film, I find Brian Wilson no less deserving.

The film is honest and fairly raw. There are many generous tributes from incredible stars, as well as recounts from family and friends. The framework is Wilson himself, telling his story, and this, of course is many times difficult to watch just due to the deterioration Wilson has experienced over his life. He seems lucid, and his memory is strong, but he struggles with speech and his focus is not real sharp at times.

It's a wonderful tribute, lovingly crafted. Music buffs and documentary hounds should lap this one up.

This is a stark, disturbing, and ultimately, an enlightening look at one of the greatest musical minds of the 20th Century. Has a tendency to gloss over things a bit (relationships with other Beach Boys, family members, etc) but provides many interesting aspects on how his creative process works. And to think that he did it by dissecting Four Freshmen records note by note!

A stunning yet disturbing portait of a true musical genius. Paul and John had eachother, Brian had only himself, with little group participation other than critisism. This powerful documentary proves, through all his struggles, his music will last forever.

Outstanding documentary finds this troubled genius "on the brink of something..." Mike Love is conspicuously absent from the roster of interview subjects, and the infamous Dr. Landy is referred to by Brian as "this guy that wouldn't leave me alone." Fascinating stuff.

This a fine video document. Special for me because he re-records and performs one of my favoites "And When I Die" which would have fit so well on Smile to me. But obviously - not its correct place. The soundtrack cd is great and this is just another fine piece the second coming of Brian Wilson

'I Just Wasn't Made For These Times' is a very good documentary about Brian Wilson, composer and arranger, and an original member, of The Beach Boys. This documentary focuses on Brian, and takes his side with regards to the rift that sent him and the group in opposite directions: The Beach Boys sound became a very lucrative commodity just as Brian Wilson was going in a more experimental direction. Mike Love, the rest of the band, and Capitol Records didn't want to mess with the successful formula. The fraternal friction led to a breakdown for Brian, who spent years unable to even get out of bed.

The documentary has a lot of quotes from other musicians who are really in awe of Brian--Tom Petty compares him to Beethoven, Linda Ronstadt has some other observations about his talent. Lots of other folks who knew him have many anecdotes about how strange he could be--once he met Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop and Iggy was frightened by his weirdness. Imagine how weird you would have to be to scare the stooge.

It is very interesting to hear how Brian developed his musical style. His two biggest influences were the vocal harmonies of The Four Freshmen and the recording studio genius of Phil Spector. His daughters Carnie and Wendy Wilson describe growing up hearing him play "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes every day as soon as he woke up. Brian talks about an epiphany hearing The Four Freshman in the demonstration booth of a record store, and then going home from high school every day and studying the harmonies song by song, figuring them out completely on his piano.

It is good to see Brian Wilson recovered from his darkest days of mental illness. He is still kind of eccentric, but he's adjusted, he's more of a family man, and he's still making music.

Surfin' Safari/Surfin' U.S.A.
Surfer Girl/Shut Down, Vol. 2
Little Deuce Coupe/All Summer Long
Pet Sounds
SMiLE
The Beach Boys - Endless Harmony
The Beach Boys and the Satan [This German documentary on The Beach Boys veers off into Charles Manson territory, but then returns with more interesting interviews with Brian Wilson and other Beach Boy personnel]
The Ronettes: Ultimate Collection; Greatest Hits [Brian Wilson really loved the Phil Spector 'wall of sound' and played "Be My Baby" constantly as his habitual morning ritual]
Capitol Collectors Series: The Four Freshmen
Orange Crate Art

Powerful and riveting documentary. I was captured by his youth and it kept me interested throughout. Very Good rating for use in a research project or just entertainment purposes.