JoelRoll
I watched this documentary out of curiosity after recently finding his music on Youtube, and enjoying most of it. This film is about him and his music, but to me they seem like separate entities. Let me put it this way, this movie doesn't do a well enough job showing how good his music is. While it does show that people are obsessed with him—fans singing along, his art being bought instantly—the film doesn't show why he is a genius.That said,I don't know if I appreciate Daniel Johnston more or less after watching this film. If I'm being honest, Johnston now seems to me like a much more disturbed man than a music genius. And if someone went into this film not having an appreciation for Johnston, they might feel the same way. He comes off as a tragic, mentally-ill person trying to be a musician (which he was), but he should have been painted more as a great musician held back from greatness.I agree with both types of reviews: those that praise him, and those that don't get the excitement.Other than some quips about the way Daniel Johnston is portrayed, this is a great documentary. The director was lucky to have access to so much of Daniel's life captured on film, so it was fun to watch the story chronologically.If you like Johnston, you'd be interested in this film. But I must say, it is required to listen to his music before viewing.
DJJOEINC
The Devil and Daniel Johnston -ok I have seen this movie before(Jandek/Wesley Willis promo reel/Rodney on the Roq)- but this movie about the creative outsider artist Daniel Johnston was well done and kept my interest the whole time.Mixing his drawings,home movies and cassette recordings with recollections by his friends and family.A lifelong Beatles fan -he started by writing songs and playing them on his piano- then he moved to Austin and switched to guitar- his approach to music is very stripped down- and not an easy listen at first- but when he is in the zone- there is a simple beauty to his pain-his voice while not conventionaly pretty or always pitch-perfect is so honest and bracing that it reeled me right in.The movie captured his brief glimpses into fame( hijacking a MTV BBQ and getting his name out) to his struggles with his manic depression - including a harrowing plane ride with his father.The DVD has some great extras also- including 3 of Daniel's early short films,his first meeting with his college muse in a decade and an broadcast on WFMU.A good documentary with tons of extras. B+
Conall Jones
This film is a documentary biopic of struggling creative genius. Told from the perspective of his friends, family and the artwork of Daniel Johnston. More than 80% of the film must be video, audio, art and music from the artist. None of it is told from his 1st person present day perspective. This gives me the tragic feeling that he only exists in the shell of what he used to be before... Well you'll just have to see the film. I knew nothing of Daniel Johnston, before I saw the film, which does an amazing job of covering every significant moment in his life up to a few years ago. If you have ever wondered what would happen if a creative genius was born in middle America then this is it and it's beautifully documented.
markbgordon
My wife and I love docs of all sorts and this one did not disappoint. The story is fascinating, and thanks to Johnston's self-absorption there is plenty of material to make it such a true story. Johnston is an engaging character. His history is engrossing and his illness is tragic and curious. The trouble I have with this doc is how people perceive his product. His music is terrible. If I had seen him perform live I would swear he's making that garbage up as he goes along. I don't want to pick on him. Though I do want to pick on all those out there that saw Cobain wearing his shirt and suddenly regarded this poor troubled man as a musical genius. I have great respect for avant-garde and experimental music. I am a huge fan of Mike Patton and Morphine's The Night and many artists that challenge the listener. Johnston is not a genius but is surrounded by people who want him to be one. Everyone wants him to be Van Gogh and everyone wants credit for seeing the brilliance in his childish work. The truth is he is being exploited by his "fans" rather than supported by them. For all my criticism about his music and art I loved this film and if you get a chance see it.
AD
