Donnie Darko

Released January 20, 2001

Directed (and written) by Richard Kelly

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle, Jenna Malone, Mary McDonnell, James Duval, Beth Grant, Seth Rogen

Second Viewing April 9, 2010

Roger – 3/5 stars

Hmm. You know, I saw this movie when it was a fairly new release on DVD, when I had just graduated from high school. It was still building steam - teenagers across North America were catching on to the Donnie Darko trend. I watched it at a party at a friend’s house, and a guy was a big fan of this movie. I remember thinking that it was really strange. And that’s all I could remember. Not too many years later, here I am thinking that since it’s become such a cult favourite, maybe it’s time to re-examine the film. Watch it carefully and see what the fuss is about.

This movie was hard to review. It’s one of the weirdest movies I’ve seen (the top weirdest film of all goes to My Own Private Idaho). Yet, I can’t say that it didn’t have some compelling moments. It’s not weird just for the sake of it, which is a common problem among many other films. It’s a brave little movie. Not many movies these days have such violent and disturbed main characters that are also lost and sympathetic.

Donnie’s (Gyllenhaal) character is a hard one. He’s having some troubling visions about a bunny named Frank (Duval), who is telling him to commit pretty dark acts before the world ends. Donnie is troubled, yet interested. He’s scared, but determined. It’s a fine line to act, and I have to give Jake Gyllenhaal props for tackling such a role, and doing a good job. No one can accuse him of playing it too safe when it comes to role choices. (Johnny Depp would be proud!)

The movie is also very interesting. We enter Donnie’s life as Frank’s countdown to the end of the world begins, and as the movie goes on (and gets weirder) we get more and more involved. It’s hard to follow; we barely know as an audience what’s going on (and sometimes not at all) but Donnie is sometimes as lost as we are. Despite the confusion, there is a definite sense of momentum and purpose – this movie is heading towards something big. All these little clues and happenstances and explanations are driving Donnie (and the audience) to some higher purpose, some big conclusion.

Or one would think. I won’t give anything away, but the ending is disappointing, not to mention quite sad. I felt cheated. After all that symbolism and intrigue, I expected more.

There are some good moments in this movie, and like I said, it’s a brave little film, and I always admire a sincere attempt at originality in Hollywoodland. Some of the better moments: Donnie’s concerned and loving parents, by turns amused by Donnie and very worried for him, Donnie’s argument concerning smurfs, and his discussion of time travel with his physics teacher (Noah Wyle!)

There are some fresh ingredients in this movie, but it falls short of the expectations it creates for itself. Look for one of the most varied casts I’ve ever seen. There are some strong moments and good scenes, and unfortunately just as many weaknesses. I suppose, years later, I’ll watch this movie again, and come to the same conclusion. I’ll think I finally get it, only to be disappointed. Brave attempt, but unsatisfactory, in the end. I wouldn’t recommend it, but then again, I think you should see it. Confused? So am I.