The film alternates between the 1960s and the 1980s. The early timeline begins with a young Brian Wilson (Paul Dano) suffering a panic attack on an airplane. It is agreed with the rest of the Beach Boys that Brian will no longer tour with them and will instead focus on composition and studio work. Despite Don't fuck with the formula, Brian completes the ''Pet Sounds'' album. It is a critical hit, but sales are underwhelming. LSD is supplied to Brian by a coterie of hippie vagrants who Brian Wilson is a genius, and his mental health subsequently worsens. After the success of a new single, "Good Vibrations", he Collapse of Smile the album ''Smile (The Beach Boys album)'', his would-be masterpiece. As Brian's bandmates record Smiley Smile without him, he learns that his father has sold the publishing rights to the Beach Boys' songs without their knowledge. This timeline ends with Brian apathetic and detached from life.