Rating of
4/4
Donnie Darko (Director's Cut) review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 10/03/11
Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) survives death and is instructed by a 6 foot man in a bunny suit named Frank. Frank instructs Donnie that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. His mother is worried and his care-free natured father Eddie (Holmes Osborne) just gives advises. He sees a therapist, Dr. Lillian Thurman (Katharine Ross), who conducts hypnotherapy and advises him on how to act. Donnie meets Gretchen Ross (Jena Malone), a new student in school who was bullied. Frank instructs the protagonist to flood the high school, steal a gun from his father’s closet, burns Jim Cunningham’s (Patrick Swayze) house and goes to "Grandma Death” to write her a letter. Elizabeth (Maggie Gyllenhaal), her older sister hosts a party to celebrate her entering Harvard. Rosie (Mary McDonnell) is with Donnie’s youngest sister Sam (Daveigh Chase) since her group Sparkle Moon was invited to Star Search. Donnie discovers time travel from Dr. Kenneth Monnitoff (Noah Wyle) which he utilizes wisely to make things right and save the world. Some noteworthy quotes: Donnie Darko – “I hope that when the world comes to an end, I can breathe a sigh of relief, because there will be so much to look forward to.” Gretchen Ross – “What if you could go back in time and take all those hours of pain and darkness and replace them with something better?”
Viewing this more than once will make you fully understand this complex, intricate yet artistic film. The cinematography and camera movements were excellent coupled with the appealing soundtrack and artistic screenplay. Jake Gyllenhaal’s gestures, pain and delivery of his lines were proficient and magnificent. Supporting cast did a splendid job as well since the film also focuses on a myriad of characters. The premise was very innovative and the method of directing was dreamlike, part realism and surreal all mixed into one. The picture had so many themes like teen angst, bullying, loneliness, expectations, family, love, sacrifice, social awareness, teen manipulation, maturation, fear, appreciation of life and morality. So many symbolisms such as Frank (his sub consciousness and evil side/the future), Jim Cunningham (false role models, lies, deceit), Kitty Farmer (peer pressure) and righteous logical adults in Karen Pomeroy (Drew Barrymore). In my opinion, it is a roller coaster of emotions, entertaining, witty, strange, funny and thought provoking. In the words of our hero “When it reminds you of how beautiful the world can be?” that gives you enough reason to sacrifice everything for the people you love. A film that can be watched more than once and still pick up something new is mark of a true classic. Donnie Darko is definitely up there in one of the best intellectual movies created (not a box office hit, but because of its quality, the video format has revitalized this movie - get the Director's Cut with bonus features in the other disc. That itself is enough reason to love the film).
