This, the story of the very living and breathing Daniel Johnston, is a well-made shot at capturing the spirit of his work until 2005, when the documentary was made.

Even if you haven’t heard his music, or even if you don’t like it, this is a remarkable person and makes for a bigger film than most sci-fi can lay claim to.

Johnston started making music while living in his parents’ basement. His mother berated him with not being a good Christian while he drew, painted and filmed with unrestrained zeal, and suddenly he started playing the piano and writing lyrics. He released his own music on cassette and started getting known.

At the same time, his mental problems started surfacing; he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has gone through major periods of manic behaviour, often connected to visions of The Devil.

His songwriting is monumental, and this documentary follows him well through bouts of creativity, friendship, his One Love, his relationship with his mother, working with other musicians, his long-standing job at McDonalds and his incarceration with mental institutions.

This documentary provided me with a peep-hole into everybody’s soul, not just Johnston’s. He’s a loveable guy.

id heard a few daniel johnson songs here and there, never anything i particularly liked. grating voice, crappy quality, just didnt really catch me. so i wasnt too keen on watching this at my girlfriend’s insistence.

but its actually really good, even if youve never heard of him. actually its kinda better if you havent, this is a good introduction to him as a person and as an artist. i must say that now i will probably buy some of his music. very well done.

I think this is more appreciated by fans of Dan Johnston and people interested in pschology and psychiatry. The Netflix description makes it out to be a comedy when it is anything but, so if you’re looking for something goofy and lighthearted, look elsewhere.