Review of The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2006) by Harry I — 18 Oct 2006

[font=Garamond][size=4]I like documentaries. They remind me, in case I needed reminding, that life, as we are surrounded by it, is mostly strange and wonderful and thank God......or Bluebuddah, whichever I come to first, that people are out there making documentaries. Only in knowing the reality that there are plenty of weird and wonderous individuals in our day to day lives can you appreciate that inkling of strangeness that occasionally enters your own day-to-day world. Of course there are many who prefer a life that mostly sits on a shelf in the dark closet.[/size][/font].

[font=Garamond][size=4]You know what their problem is reader? They're just to fuckin' normal for their own good. They'll be laying on their deathbed in a few years wishing that they had taken some real chances and done some really weird shit with their lives. They'll think to themselves that they knew too many dull and uninteresting people. They'll wonder what this says about their own life and briefly wonder before the lights go dim whether they really lived life at all. They'll think back on a few vague memories about some documentaries they saw that showed that people could indeed be pushing the envelope on what it was to live. [/size][/font].

[font=Garamond][size=4]Or they won't wonder any of it and they'll just keep eyeing the door to their hospital room praying the nurse comes back soon with more pain medication and an extra bowl of bland-tasting tapioca.[/size][/font].

[font=Garamond][size=4]The Devil and Daniel Johnston is a fair documentary about an interesting individual. That's like having an average waiter bringing out some really good food from the kitchen. Any story where you watch an individual struggle to keep fighting their own personal battle in a world where most folks march single file up the middle has got my vote. I enjoyed it. I think documentaries, unlike film, don't promise you anything but a take on real life. They slice it up just like it is and you get what you get. Granted some slice it up better than others, but I find myself a better odd ball for having seen this film. As we speak, I am painting Daniel a saw that I'll be sending him soon. The film has affected my life in a positive way and there's not alot of cinema out there doing anything but lightening the weight of your wallet. [/size][/font].

[font=Garamond][size=4]Daniel Johnston is still alive, making music in a home attached to his parents house and he's still fighting the devil. Thank God for that too. It's nice knowing that there are a few unique folks taking up space on my planet.[/size][/font].