Donnie Darko [M]

On a clear morning troubled teenager Donnie Darko wakes up in the middle of the road overlooking the woodland landscape of his hometown. A paranoid schizophrenic, Donnie is later led into the street by a six foot tall rabbit named Frank who proceeds to warn him that the world will come to an end in 28 days. That next morning Donnie awakes on a golf course and then returns home to discover that his room has been destroyed by the jet turbine of an aeroplane. Having narrowly escaped death, Donnie continues to have disturbing visits from Frank, ending in regretful and distasterous actions which don’t only land Donnie in trouble with school and his family, but brings him frightening steps closer to discovering the true nature of the coming end of the world. 

One of the most popular and phenomenally cult classics of the modern age, Donnie Darko is a most incredible film in its complexity of plot, its modern and haunting soundtrack, and its mixtures of genres that allow the minds of those that make up the special effects and art departments to go crazy. It’s a film that you have to watch a bazillion times before you really understand what’s going on to the fullest extent, but that’s where the film’s power lies. 

On a clear morning troubled teenager Donnie Darko wakes up in the middle of the road overlooking the woodland landscape of his hometown. A paranoid schizophrenic, Donnie is later led into the street by a six foot tall rabbit named Frank who proceeds to warn him that the world will come to an end in 28 days. That next morning Donnie awakes on a golf course and then returns home to discover that his room has been destroyed by the jet turbine of an aeroplane. Having narrowly escaped death, Donnie continues to have disturbing visits from Frank, ending in regretful and disastrous actions which don’t only land Donnie in trouble with school and his family, but brings him frightening steps closer to discovering the true nature of the coming end of the world. 

Written and directed by Richard Kelly, Donnie Darko is just an incredible movie. Praise on the cover reads that it’s “a movie so ahead of its time…you’ll have to go back to believe your eyes.” This really is the case. The story is the very definition of complexity, not since Memento have I been so inexorably confused. And the themes and ideas that are crammed into and conveyed by it, it’s just … there are no words. It’s a film that’s filled with clashes: clashes in genres, morals, faiths, and intelligences. In terms on genre, on one hand it’s a psychoanalytical thriller and then on the other hand it’s a science fiction-y story about time travel. Quite a few of the scenes are also rather horrific and a lovely albeit awkward romance story also comes into play. I’m at a loss because there is so much to say about this film, but it’s really hard to verbalise, not to mention it would take up a mass amount of space and I don’t think anyone would conceivably hang around to read it all. The basic story takes us down roads that end in a series of battles: God’s will Vs. Science Fiction, a troubled mind Vs. the Universe, the ignorant mass Vs. the intelligent individual, and Reality Vs. Reality. This movie raises so many questions and offers so many answers; your mind will still be rattling with the swinging of the many doors in it that this movie manages to open! I strongly suggest that you down to your local Blockbuster and grab a copy. 

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jenna Malone, Drew Barrymore, Beth Grant, Mary McDonnell, Katherine Ross, Holmes Osborne, James Duval, Seth Rogen, Noah Wyle, Patrick Swayze, and even featuring a young Ashley Tisdale, Donnie Darko is a wholly incredible movie that will always stand the test of time. Filled with complexity, multiple realities, romance, drama, horror, and brilliant performances from all the cast, this movie really is something!

"Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?"