The Devil and Daniel Johnston - A-

On DVD (2006). Rated PG-13, 109 minutes. Trailer.

A Sundance hit in 2005, The Devil and Daniel Johnston is a documentary about the man/boy folk singer Daniel Johnston. Daniel starts out as a normal gifted kid in West Virginia, but through his strict Church of Christ upbringing and personal demons, he becomes tragically afflicted with manic depression. Through an incredible series of events involving a traveling carnival, a portapotty, a fight and a compassionate Church of Christ in Austin, he ends up working at a McDonalds in Austin and living in a rathole apartment. He records his music on a cassette recorder and gives tapes out to people, including the local indie rag, the Austin Chronicle, which names him 1985 folk artist of the year and 1985 songwriter of the year. Click below for the rest of the review and links to some of Johnston's songs.

After his zenith in 1985, he started taking acid and smoking pot, and his depression took hold. Through a series of misfortunes he ended up in the Texas State Hospital in Austin. During this time Kurt Cobain wore a shirt with his album cover on it, and he became semi-famous. Sonic Youth tried to record with him, but he was unable to keep his demons at bay during the session. He now lives, medicated, with his parents in Texas, and play shows around the country.

As with any documentary, finding a good subject is half the battle, and Daniel is the ultimate in documentary subjects. The story is well told, and the music is used to powerful effect. The weirdest part are the 'dental' interviews with the Butthole Surfers' Gibbie Haynes.

Daniel now sounds and looks a little like a sloppy Frank Black, with a childlike and angelic voice, fragile and urgent as it conveys his inner demons and desires. His voice most closely resemebles the Violent Femmes' Gordon Gano, but with a slight lisp. Some might say he is just a weirdo, but I really enjoy his music and have bought the cd with the music from the movie from his store (the music is also available on Itunes). Listen for free to "True Love Will Find You in The End" (in the trailer above), "Casper the Friendly Ghost", "Devil Town" (performed by Once's Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova), and "The Sun Shines Down on Me."