77
Metascore
33 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 91The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe A.V. ClubNoel MurrayBy the time Feuerzeig gets to his final shot--an artful portrait of Johnston's parents, with their son looming over them like a curse--he's emerged with the most harrowing and aesthetically keen portrait of madness and artistic inspiration since "Crumb."
- 90The Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttThe Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttWhatever one's opinion of Johnston's art, this is documentary filmmaking at its finest.
- 88Rolling StonePeter TraversRolling StonePeter TraversNo wonder Kurt Cobain was a fan. But it's the way Feuerzeig walks with him on the line between creativity and madness that digs this haunting and hypnotic film into your memory.
- 83Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanEntertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanA fascinating and lovingly crafted musical documentary that nevertheless misunderstands its own subject.
- 80Village VoiceJessica WinterVillage VoiceJessica WinterJeff Feuerzeig's tremendous documentary runs on the motive force of intelligent fandom and radiates an ineffable grace.
- 80L.A. WeeklyL.A. WeeklySome of his mystical encounters are just too spooky and amazing to reveal here, and Feuerzeig (director of previous documentaries on Jon Hendricks and Half Japanese) weaves them into the story with excellent timing and a psychedelic eye, aided by editor Tyler Hubby and cinematographer Fortunato Procopio.
- 75PremiereGlenn KennyPremiereGlenn KennyOne thing not open to question is that the real heroes of this movie are Johnston's family, particularly his aging parents, who for all their heartbreak are palpably full of love and forbearance for their disturbed and, yes, talented boy.
- 70Film ThreatFilm ThreatWith this film, I believe that the strange and wonderful legend of Daniel Johnston will only continue to grow.
- 70New York Magazine (Vulture)New York Magazine (Vulture)Surprisingly diverting as a case study: not only of a talented misfit sublimating like mad to keep his loneliness from consuming him but also of a fringe artistic community (which includes the makers of this film) that rallies to give him the reinforcement he craves.
- 60VarietyDennis HarveyVarietyDennis HarveyPicture is particularly well-crafted, managing to avoid the ambulance-chasing tenor that might easily have turned this into a voyeuristic freakshow.