In the mid-’80s, Daniel Johnston was heralded as one of the best young songwriters of his generation. His fragile love songs landed him on MTV, in the pages of Spin, and on the lips of hipsters around the globe. Then he took a hit of acid that screwed up his already-damaged psyche. The Devil and Daniel Johnston chronicles the singer-songwriter’s sad tale through archival footage, modern-day reminiscences, and an interview with Johnston, who today is cared for by his aging parents. It’s a fascinating look at the beloved cult artist. It’s also one of the best rock docs ever made.
Sat., Sept. 9, 9:35 p.m.; Thu., Sept. 14, 7 p.m.

This article appears in Sep 6-12, 2006.