The Devil and Daniel Johnston
Jeff Feuerzeig
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Plot Summary
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)!
Movie Reviews from Rotten Tomatoes
TOMATOMETER
89%- Reviews Counted: 105
- Fresh: 93
- Rotten: 12
- Average Rating: 7.5/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Fresh: Feuerzeig recounts it all with clear-eyed candor, turning to Johnston's battered friends and family for insight and empathy and to Johnston's tapes and drawings for an inside look at his illness.
Fresh: I found the documentary surprisingly diverting as a case study.
Fresh: Devil leads us into that dark, uncharted valley where evil, genius, divine inspiration, insanity -- and other unfathomable mysteries -- commingle.
Fresh: Jeff Feuerzeig, who won the best director award at Sundance 2005 for this film, has started with a subject who has filmed himself and been filmed by others for more than 20 years.
Customer Reviews
My Favorite Documentary
When I saw this documentary when it came out in 2005, it really changed my perspective of documentary film. Johnston's art and music is something on its own, by Feuerzeig brings a whole new level of artistry to the documentary form with this film. It's woven beautifully with pieces of found footage and audio, environment recreations, and pieces that could be art in their own right, such as the animation of Johnston's sketches. Feuerzeig is an astoundingly brilliant filmmaker paying homage to an astoundingly brilliant musician, poet, and artist. You can't lose with that combination!
Story of a Genius
I can't believe this hasn't been reviewed more, it's simply incredible. The doc is done very, very well, but what makes it is the story of Daniel Johnston. Virtually unknown to most people, his music is by far some of the most touching and inspiring in existance. Nobody compares, nobody. If you're having second thoughts about buying this, rent it from netflix, go to amazon, whatever you need to do to get a copy.
wow.
im only twelve but after i saw this movie it changed my hole perspective on music. this film is truly a masterpiece. daniel johnston is a pure musical genius that will hopefully live on as one of the greatest singer song/writer that ever walked the earth. he was a true artist that i will never forget and i hope that every one who likes music or even hates music will see this movie or just listen to his music.
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- $9.99
- Genre: Music Documentaries
- Released: 2006
- © 2005 YIP! JUMP, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
