|
|
|
|
|
Though it’s been more than 60 years since they had their first hit, The Beach Boys still embody that summer feeling better than any other artist since. And the Disney+ documentary The Beach Boys offers an in-depth look at the band, its members, and its greatest hits.
The Beach Boys explores the story of three musically-gifted teenage brothers, their cousin, and their friend, who latched on to California’s surf culture and became famous around the world for their perfect harmonies and their visions of the California fantasy. Through music, archive footage, recordings, and new interviews with the band members, this documentary takes a look at the band’s background, their surprising rise to stardom, their incredible work ethic, and the challenges that they faced—both personally and professionally—as they continued to tour and write and record throughout the1960s and beyond.
Though many of us are familiar with The Beach Boys, their greatest hits, and the stories about their brilliant but troubled leader, this eye-opening documentary offers so much more insight into the stories and the personalities behind this legendary band and its iconic hit songs. This wasn’t just a group of California kids who loved singing about the girls at the beach. It was a family—and also a ground-breaking act that overcame the obstacles and worked non-stop to perfect their sound and bring it to fans around the world.
In covering the highs and lows, the changes and the challenges, through a turbulent time in history, the film gives the band and its music more context. It touches on everything from surfer culture (and the fact that just one band member—drummer Dennis Wilson—was actually able to surf) to the changing culture of the ‘60s to the band’s rivalry with The Beatles. And while it doesn’t explore the band members’ personal problems in great depth, it does discuss the band’s troubled relationship with the Wilson brothers’ dad and the band’s manager, Murray—as well as Brian’s ongoing struggles with his mental health. Though its focus is on the band’s earlier days, only barely taking the story into the ‘70s, there’s still a lot here to explore. And if you’ve only ever known the band for its songs and its tormented songwriter, you’ll find all of these details fascinating.
Through the years, music lovers of all ages have enjoyed the iconic hits of The Beach Boys. And if you’ve ever sat on the beach listening to “Surfin’ Safari” and “California Girls,” you’ll be fascinated by this look into the rise of this legendary band.
Head to the beach with this musical family when The Beach Boys arrives on Disney+ on May 24, 2024.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
|
|
|
|
