The Devil and Daniel Johnston

Daniel Johnston is a genius. How do I know this? Well, everyone says that he is, so it must be true. I don't mean to sound harsh, because there was something about his songwriting and playing style that I enjoyed on some level, but I'm getting tired of the word "genius" being bandied about like this. Oh yeah, the movie. I think the filmmakers realized that they had a goldmine of source material to work with here, and they used it all brilliantly. Nicely paced...just the right length. Well done.

A solid and dark doc about a very troubled guy who in my book, despite some admittedly rather clever lyrics, made absolutely atrocious music.

Much like Johnston's music this is bizarre and strange and sneaks up on you as being oddly good. Pretty tragic and sad and Daniel really pulled an Orson Welles physically, damn that guy got huge. Nicely paced and pretty interesting. But I have to say that I question anyone's genius who believes that Mountain Dew is a good drink.

The fandom around outsider artists like Johnston or Wesley Willis always makes me a little uncomfortable, since I'm never sure if people are genuinely connecting with their craft or just laughing at the crazy sideshow freak. This documentary aims for the center and shows Johnston both as a man of childlike exuberance for music as well as a genuinely disturbed individual, and lets the viewer decide how much they want to take away from that.

Absolutely brilliant. One of the most tragic stories I've ever seen.

He may have some personal problems

A testament to the ongoing case for how endlessly frightening life can actually become---and a story that garners most of its value as a portrait of mental illness rather than "musical genius." For whatever problems I myself may have, I thank God in Heaven that I'm still of a relatively sound mind. #JesusFish

One can't help but think if Daniel Johnston didn't have a mental illness his music might have been a lot better, his career might have been a lot more successful, and his life might have been easier. Instead, he's become a pet project for those who like to romanticize mental problems. I am always suspicious of those who think mental illness rolls over into artistic genius when, more often than not, it inhibits creativity and negatively affects your life, artists included.

Johnston is so bizarre it remains compelling the entire time.

Daniel Johnston is no doubt an interesting person despite his questionable musical abilities and the grunge era hype surrounding him. However, this documentary is a more intriguing look into the indie music scene and how musicians get their music pushed into prominence from the clubs or through another artist's recommendation. Whether or not Daniel Johnston is in fact a musical genius (or even talented) is completely up to you to decide in the end. He seems passionate about what he does at least

When compared to other documentaries about reclusive musicians, it's not as good as "You're Gonna Miss Me," but a kazillion times better than "Jandek on Corwood." The story was interesting and I definitely found myself somewhat captivated by Johnston's music and artwork, but aside from the moment when his dad broke down, there wasn't much of an emotional grab for me. It was well researched and done in an artistic way, but it did feel a bit long.

The real truth is that the Devil wouldn't waste his time on asexual moon-men such as Mr. Johnston. Read between the lines here, and you'll see "mental illness" as marketing hype and a boy who liked to shiv his social network from day one. Call him a bright self-handicapper who senses the limits of his talent (unlike many of his fans), and let's pray the lightning gods take him off meds before he becomes just a blubber-hill on the indie horizon.

These sort of documentaries I can't help but feel have some level of exploitative nature to them, but it did do a fairly decent job of introducing the man, his music, and his problems.

As straightforward as it is as a documentary, it's actually not -- even the interviews seem weird (the Butthole dude talking while attendint a dentist appointment lol), editing feels like a functional bizarre collage of the mythical protagonist. It's more like an attempt to put someone's shoes and see the world -- or other worlds -- as he does, to grasp what is like to be so childish and hellish, angelical and tormented, so of this world and so otherworldly, so mundane yet so particular.

I sadly managed to make out of the 90s without knowing who Daniel is. Not sure if Daniel's a genius or we have another Chancy Gardener on our hands. Either way, the system did its best to exploit him. Interesting documentary that doesn't try to show just the good side of being manic.

It's definitely compelling because the main subject is interesting. They do however spend a lot of time trying to convince you he is a great and tortured musician that you should appreciate more. He sure is tortured but his music never clicked with me.

As an expression of art born from the frustration and pain of being an outsider, it doesn't match the quality of Crumb, but it does paint an effectively bittersweet portrait of a talented, if overhyped, artist whose life and career were derailed early by mental illness. What was most intriguing to this viewer is the weird cult of celebrity that surrounds offbeat outsider artists, and the film makers take a disappointingly uncritical stance towards it, but it's hard to doubt Johnston's motives.

The near-trainwreck of Daniel Johnston's life - turning down all opportunities and friendships, putting others in danger, remaining obsessed with one woman for 25+ years - is contrasted nicely by his songs, which are shambolic and crude, but also honest and moving in a way few others can be, so you understand why those in his life never lose their devotion to him. He is a fascinating individual, to say the least.

Great, mostly because of the intensity of Daniel Johnston's life. There is the possibility of that this documentary is exploitative, but I haven't really debated that in my head. Just consider this me throwing it out there w/o any thought, you know?

Through his music Daniel Johnston exposes his soul the way the most of us don't dare, even to ourselves. This documentary shows his struggle with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and fame. Religion and shitty parents fucks up so many people. It's so strange to listen to Johnston's songs after watching this, because now I can see how much they reveal about his life. A very depressing documentary, but there is some sad beauty in it too.

Sure, he's an artist and he needs to be able to express his talents, but when you believe you're Casper, pull the keys out of a plane's ignition and throw them out the window miles in the air, it should be more important to worry about everyone else's safety than the "legacy" this prodigy will create to one day be looked back upon in museums and Time magazines. Very interesting look at mental illness mixed with artistic talent and the fragility of the two's combination.

Daniel Johnston is a perfect character to examine the link between artistic genius and mental illness that seems so prevalent. Whatever your feelings about his music (good, bad, or don't know), you can't deny the talent and creativity he had. And I will say that, although I did not like his music when I watched this, some of the songs still get stuck in my head 1.5 years after viewing.

Incredible story told incredibly well.

Never heard of this guy before, and maybe I should have done some research before waching this, but I couldn't care less about this guy. Only the last 20 minutes made me pay a bit more attention, when they showed his current life and all the 'art' work he's spitting out.

The man maketh the documentary. It's not a strong film, but it is about an interesting person, one of the most simplest and emotional musicians ever. I just wish the documentary was either more selective or more expansive in its coverage.

unbeatable story

It's interesting to see the background stories of some of his songs. There's a touching performance of Don't Play Cards With Satan.

I really enjoyed the style and the use of hom videos, it was different and interesting, I just wish there was more talking with Daniel Johnston himself and delving a little deeper into why he is being hailed by a lot of people as the "best singer/songwriter of all time."

Amazing that so much footage exists. This is a must-view for any music fan.

Very interesting look into the theory that insanity=creativity.

Being new to the whole saga that is Daniel Johnston it's hard for me to come up with something to say about him. The film did a wonderful job showing, only what I can call, his decent. This unfolds to be one of the most tragic stories I have ever heard. Deep down I'm sure we would all love this story to have a happy ending. I suppose I'll just come right out with the cliche; Johnston's songwriting is brilliant and I hope he continues to do well with his art.

tragic story, but i'm not sure he deserves the title of artistic genius...

I don't know, it just seemed kind of strange to write a loveletter to a man like this. Sure, he can't help the way he is, but they really seem to overglorify someone that has spent his entire adult life screwing over anyone that tries to help him and is constantly ditching one well-meaning sycophant for the next and playing otherwise smart people for fools.

Interesting stuff. You do have to kind of wonder whether some of these people are truly captivated by the music or are just a Support Group, but anyway...an absorbing chronicle (and I still say they shoulda let him meet Lou Reed).

Although I've never considered Johnston a "genius" on any level, he is a fascinating character and a unique artistic voice. The movie is entertaining and more innovative than Feuerzeig's previous work. It manages to be both reverent (perhaps too reverent) about Johnston and critical of his behavior. There is a perception out there of him as a lovable harmless kook, and it's good to see his darker, dangerous side exposed here. The film does trail off a bit at the end, though.

A truly haunting potrayal of a truly haunted genius.