Listen up I'll tell a story

Daniel Johnston is often referred to as one of the best singer/songwriters in America. Even if you have never heard of him, chances are still good that you have heard his lyrics played by other artists. He composed his art with a scary amount of feeling and honesty. In the 80's he achieved near cult status in the Austin music scene and exploded nationally when Kurt Cobain wore a shirt depicting his first album at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The sad thing about Daniel Johnston is that during his years trying to make it as an artist in Austin, he experienced his first manic-depressive episode. While his status as a singer and songwriter grew in the 80's, thanks to the relentless promotion of his manager, Johnston was in and out of mental hospitals. He refused to believe that he had a problem. He would have paranoid fantasies that would increasingly take over his life.

When Johnston was on medication, he would go off them - unknown to anyone - before he played a show. This would sometimes result in uncomfortable proselytizing while he was on stage or, worse, violent episodes. His mental health grew worse and worse over the years even as his family and friends tried to help. Eventually, on a flight home from Austin, he took the controls away from his dad - who was piloting the plane - and spun them out of control. Neither of them were hurt in the crash, though Daniel did not understand why everyone was upset with him. After this incident his family committed him to a mental hospital where he stayed for a number of years. 

What The Devil and Daniel Johnston, a 2005 documentary, does so well is to portray Johnston as exactly who he is. A lot of times mental illness is glamorized in artists. To an extent, it's commonly believed that all great artists are crazy. However, this documentary shows all the destruction that Johnston's manic depression caused while still highlighting his ability to reach out and touch people with his art. 

The documentary benefits from the wealth of recordings Johnston made growing up. He was obsessed with both video and audio recording. Much of the film is narrated by tapes that Johnston recorded throughout his life. Some are completely normal and touching - he wishes he could buy his dad a house or he is angry at his mother. But some are scary and portray a startling break from reality as he obsesses over the number 9 or spins himself out of control with paranoia. 

Johnston is never interviewed in this film. He is almost a background figure for much of it. His family and friends talk and his old footage is shown. However, one gets the sense that a straight interview with Johnston is just too taxing. He is on his meds and living with his parents in Texas. Occasionally, he plays a show or does and art exhibit. But he struggles to remember old lyrics and the thought of the past, the thought of what could have been, seems like it is almost too much. He was once poised to be hailed as a genius, a great artist, before his mind turned violently inward. 

In this youtube clip, we see Johnston performing in the summer of 2011. He attempts to sing one of his most popular songs, Story of an Artist, but cannot get past the first verse. It is sad to watch but uplifting as he get overwhelming support from his fans. He puts everything into his art. 

The Devil and Daniel Johnston is a documentary about art and illness that gives us an unfiltered look into the mind of one of the most genius and tortured minds of today. Without resorting to exploitation, the film remains emotional and moving. It questions what it means to be creative and famous and wonders at our conception of "artist."

Don't be surprised if you come away from from this documentary wanting to listen to a lot of Daniel Johnston.