Brian Wilson Presents Smile: The DVD

With all of the critical acclaim that Brian Wilson has experienced surrounding the 2004 release of his masterpiece, Smile, it’s hard to remember that not so long ago, Wilson’s world looked bleak. At the turn of the millennium, Wilson had little public recognition outside a tightly loyal band of fanatics known as “Brianistas.” These faithful fans, despite having their dreams crushed in 1967 with the announcement that Wilson had scraped plans to finish Smile, still believed in Wilson’s genius decades later and dreamed for the day he would triumphantly return.

One devoted Brianista is writer, producer and director David Leaf. Just a kid when Smile was shelved, Leaf has devoted his life’s work to resurrecting Wilson’s artistic career. Leaf ably portrays Wilson’s 30-year struggle in his film Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile, featured on the first disc of this set. The film candidly addresses Wilson’s experiments with LSD and the drug’s influence on the creation of Smile. The second disc contains an intimate live performance for Wilson’s family and friends. The generous bonus materials include brief interviews with awestruck fans who have just witnessed the inaugural live performance of Smile. This collection is a loving gift from Wilson to his fans and a tribute to his own perseverance.