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THE
DEVIL AND
DANIEL JOHNSTON |
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"Just Another Manic
Monday" |
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Directed by Jeff
Feuerzeig - Written by
Jeff Feuerzeig
Starring Daniel
Johnston, The Johnston
family
Distributed by Sony
Classics - 2006 -110mins
- Rated PG13 |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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C |
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Documenting madness... |
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Former Nirvana
frontman Kurt Cobain once proclaimed Daniel Johnston "the greatest
songwriter on Earth."
One can only assume this was during one of Cobain's intensely
delusional states, as the Daniel Johnston presented in this, "The
Devil and Daniel Johnston," is an intriguing, captivating and, at
times, inspirational human being but NOT the aforementioned "greatest
songwriter on Earth."
Johnston was raised in California by religious parents, however, his
odd behavior led to his being sent to live with a brother in Austin,
Texas. In Austin, Johnston's tendency towards freakish art and song
makes him a bit of a local celebrity and his songs end up being
recorded by the likes of Beck, Nirvana, Sonic Youth and others. Just
as Johnston was achieving his dream of being on MTV, he suffered a
mental breakdown and, combined with cultlike obsessions, Johnston's
downward spiral into manic-depression will nearly leave his career,
family, friends and entire life in tatters.
Prone to visions of grandeur, Johnston becomes hailed as a brilliant
singer/songwriter and folk musician in the Austin area. This
proclamation, backed by an Austin area award as "Folk Singer of the
Year" baffles even many of the locals, however, Johnston managed to
maintain a music career even when nothing else in his life seemed to
work.
It is rather ironic that Johnston worked for a carnival when he first
arrived in Austin, because much of "The Devil and Daniel Johnston"
feels as if we are backstage watching a sideshow freak.
Writer/Director Jeff Feuerzeig presents the story of Daniel Johnston
largely due to Johnston's own obsessive documenting, filming and
writing of his personal experiences. Despite this inside look provided
by Johnston himself, "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" never feels
particularly insightful or revealing.
"The Devil and Daniel Johnston" is more of a film for Johnston's
almost cult-like admirers than it is for music fans and/or the general
movie-going public. The vast majority of moviegoers are likely to hear
Johnston's music and watch his many downward spirals and say to
themselves "Tragic story, but who really cares?" It isn't particularly
impressive to hear that Johnston landed an Atlantic recording contract
when one also considers his release sold a paltry 6,300 copies. The
film never makes me feel particularly sorry for Johnston, however, it
also never offers any convincing evidence of his alleged brilliance.
I am reminded of another current popular singer, Macy Gray. Gray, who
has experienced considerably success in popular music, has openly
acknowledged her own bipolar disorder and her efforts to manage it.
While Johnston has, quite clearly, had many successes, he has thrown
away equally as many. While he continues to make music in the Austin
area, it remains challenging to feel positive about this by the film's
end since he has still clearly squandered much of his talent.
"The Devil and Daniel Johnston" too often feels like the artist it is
trying to portray. It is an almost manipulatively gracious film that
seeks to idealize a man who continues to inspire many and confound
many others. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
Email Me! |
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How We Rated This Film
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TC Candler -
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| Richard Propes
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C |
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Jacob Hall
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TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Jacob Hall's
Comment
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