The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005) -- J. Feuerzeig

I bought "Songs of Pain" and "More Songs of Pain" in the late '80s, presumably from Jeff Tartakov and Stress records. Over the years I was aware, on and off, of Daniel Johnston's trials and travails. The Devil and Daniel Johnston fills in the gaps in my knowledge. As with biopics of other artists suffering mental illness (e.g., the recent one about Roky Erickson), the film evokes complex feelings (sadness, horror, guilt, hope, joy). Jeff Feuerzeig gets it just about right and the documentary evidence of Daniel's career (and early home life) he gathered is staggering.