The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Jeff Feuerzeig

Writer:

Jeff Feuerzeig (writer)

Release Date:

5 May 2006 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary | Biography | Music

Plot:

Daniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity and love. |

Plot Keywords:

Singer | Airplane Accident | Church | Songwriter | Musician

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Daniel Johnston	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Laurie Allen	...	Herself
Brian Beattie	...	Himself
Louis Black	...	Himself
David Fair	...	Himself
Jad Fair	...	Himself
Don Goede	...	Himself
Matt Groening	...	Himself
Gibby Haynes	...	Himself
Bill Johnston	...	Himself
Dick Johnston	...	Himself
Mabel Johnston	...	Herself
Margie Johnston	...	Herself
Sally Johnston-Reid	...	Herself
Ken Lieck	...	Himself
Kathy McCarty	...	Herself
Freddie Mercury	...	Himself (archive footage)
Thurston Moore	...	Himself
Jason Nightmare	...	Himself
John Pochna	...	Himself
Jeff Tartakov	...	Himself
David Thornberry	...	Himself
Peter Zaremba	...	Himself

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, drug content, and language including a sexual reference.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:15A | Australia:M | USA:PG-13 | UK:12A

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Complex

Quotes:

Daniel Johnston: I never met a girl I didn't meet.

Movie Connections:

References Play Misty for Me (1971)

One of the best Documentary Films

This film take you on a journey into a creative genius' struggle with life. Daniel Johnston recorded his entire life on cassette tape and his early life on film. Later he appeared on MTV, and in venues in Austin, TX on film and video. These provide the film-maker with a wide array of media for telling this story.

Jeff Feuerzeig weaves this material seamlessly into what is one of the most emotionally wrenching films I've seen in the last year and one of my favorite documentaries ever. It is hard to compare this film with documentaries like those of Michael Moore which are comedic and topical, or those of Errol Morris, which tend to focus on issues and facts. This documentary brings emotional threads and creativity into play in a way that dissolves the usual harsh contrast between a story and it's telling. You forget you are watching a documentary film, and become immersed in Daniel's life. Daniel's effect on those around him is interwoven with his own recordings. His family and friend are there to add to his story to show how his life is reflected upon them. Feuerzeig use of Daniel's parents narrative is simply masterful - it provides important information, and at the same time illustrates the the emotional turmoil his illness causes in the lives of those that love him. Daniel's family is portrayed from the early period of his illness when they have no idea what mental illness really means, to the present time when they become his supporters and advocates. Eventually, family and friend's are shown coming to terms with Daniel's mental illness, and experience their own emotional growth as well.

It deservedly won the Directors Award at Sundance 2005, and I think it would have won the audience award if it had a different play schedule.