Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile

Name: Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
Genre: Documentary, Music
Released: 2004-10-05
Duration: 109 min
Rating: 7.1
Cast: Brian Wilson, David Anderle, Hal Blaine, Jeff Bridges, Elvis Costello

2004·Documentary·1h 49m

7.1

★

Through modern day interviews, archival footage and vintage audio tapes, this documentary tells the story of the legendary and unfinished 1967 Beach Boys album SMiLE, intended to be the follow-up to their landmark album Pet Sounds, as well as Brian Wilson's ultimate decision to revisit the material 36 years later.

Directed by David Leaf

record producer

drug use

nervous breakdown

pop music

singer-songwriter

american musician

brian wilson

self-destructive behavior

IMDB

N/A

Cast

Brian Wilson

Self

Hal Blaine

Self

Jeff Bridges

Self

Elvis Costello

Self

George Martin

Self

Van Dyke Parks

Self

Andrew Loog Oldham

Self

Tony Asher

Self

Danny Hutton

Self

Lou Adler

Self

Rob Reiner

Self

Crew

James Mathers

Director of Photography

John Scheinfeld

Producer

Brian Wilson

Music

Popular Reviews

6 reviews

Jamo

8.0★ · 06/21/25

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile

While the documentary itself swings from pbs special of a story I’ve known since childhood to a concert production somewhat haphazardly, I cannot help but be swayed by how much Brian’s music has meant to me to have anything but appreciation for this effort

mimi

8.0★ · 06/20/25

“I think that people are gonna get the fuck off on it. I think it’s gonna get people off.”

happy birthday brian <|:•)

“I think that people are gonna get the fuck off on it. I think it’s gonna get people off.”

happy birthday brian <|:•)

Neil Lantz

8.4★ · 02/24/24

brian wilson should be thought of in the same way as musicians like paul mccartney. i hope he knows how much we adore his compositions. love and mercy brian :) <3

dinabebrik

8.0★ · 09/06/25

damfino196

8.0★ · 03/25/23