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Daddy issues, pet sounds, and pharmaceutical-grade chaos: the true cost of California dreaming.
TMDB
56
IMDb
64
Rotten Tomatoes
60
Google
76
Watch(US)

Summer Dreams: The Story of The Beach Boys (1990)

melodramatic chaosvintage cheesedysfunctional familycore

Overview

DramaTV MovieMusic

Dramatization looks at the tumultuous relationship that existed between rock group The Beach Boy's Brian and Dennis Wilson and their father, Murry. It also examines their struggles with drugs and alcohol.

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Content warning
biography

Standout Aspects

Acting

Bruce Greenwood somehow commits to this glorious mess.

Production

Period costumes screaming 'we spent the budget at Goodwill.'

Writing

Dialogue so on-the-nose it requires medical attention.

Best for:Solo: When you want to feel better about your own family holidays.·Streaming: 90s TV movie night with appropriately lowered expectations.·Background: While reading the actual Beach Boys Wikipedia page for facts.
Heads up:Drug Use: Cocaine and alcohol abuse depicted graphically for 1990 network TV.·Violence: Domestic abuse including Murry hitting Brian with a 2x4.
Michael Switzer

Director

Michael Switzer

ReleasedApr 29, 1990
Runtime1h 31m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feelheavy
Leonard Hill Films

Top Cast

Bruce Greenwood

Bruce Greenwood

Dennis Wilson

Greg Kean

Greg Kean

Brian Wilson

Arlen Dean Snyder

Arlen Dean Snyder

Murry Wilson

Bo Foxworth

Bo Foxworth

Carl Wilson

Casey Sander

Casey Sander

Mike Love

Linda Dona

Linda Dona

Karen Lamm

Laura Leigh Hughes

Laura Leigh Hughes

Carol Wilson

Wendy Foxworth

Wendy Foxworth

Marilyn Wilson (as Wendy Kaplan)

Michael Reid MacKay

Michael Reid MacKay

Charles Manson

Billy Vera

Billy Vera

Sal

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Bruce Greenwood would later play JFK in 'Thirteen Days'—apparently doomed American icons were his brand.

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