Official Synopsis:
His drawings and sketches are exhibited and sold worldwide. Beck, Wilco, Sonic Youth and Pearl Jam have recorded his songs. But beneath Daniel Johnston's success as an artist and musician is an incredible story of genius touched by madness: diagnosed as manic-depressive, Johnston has spent the last three decades of his life in-and-out of mental institutions. Told through a compelling combination of interviews, home movies and performance footage, The Devil And Daniel Johnston is 'a harrowing, hilarious and ultimately moving new documentary film' (Jim Farber, New York Daily News). '****' (Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News)!
Our Take:
The Devil and Daniel Johnston is a fascinating documentary about mentally-challenged singer/songwriter/artist Daniel Johnston. The film is an intimate portrait of a very troubled soul, and it is quite compelling. If I have on complaint, it's that I can't quite figure out what the fascination with Johnston is. Supposedly, he's this amazing musician, but I have to say that listening to his music throughout the film gave me a different perspective. The music worked fine as a soundtrack, but I can't imagine ever wanting to listen to an album of his work. In all honesty, and I mean this in the most non-crass way possible, he sounds like he’s autistic. Musically, I can’t quite see the appeal. But I guess that's just me, because obviously he has a sizable fan base.
Regardless of how you feel about his music (and he does have a definite Bob Dylan vibe, if you like that kind of thing), this isn't really a movie ABOUT the music. The songs plays a large part in things, of course, but this really about a damaged man who became an unlikely cult hero.
* Commentary - Featuring director Jeff Feuerzeig and producer Henry S. Rosenthal.
* Daniel's Audio Diaries - Not quite interviews, but a collection of 13 taped rants, thoughts, and conversations by Johnston.
* Daniel and Laurie Reunion (8 minutes) - A live Q&A event that leads to a tearful reunion.
* Legendary WFMU Broadcast (15 minutes) - An apparently well-known radio broadcast.
* Sundance World Premiere (7 minutes) - Footage from the film's premiere.
* Cinema of Daniel Johnston (6 minutes) - Three of Johnston's home movies from his younger days.
Fans of Johnston's work will obviously love this film, but really, anyone interested in good documentary filmmaking will enjoy this one.
Overall Picture:
Movie: B+
DVD: B+
- Mike Spring
Editor
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