A brilliant film to be seen time and time again.

Rating: 10/10 (26 February 2008)

In an ordinary world we could peer out of our quaint kitchen windows and find gentle bunny rabbits frolicking in our gardens, munching on our freshly mowed green grass and nestling under bushes. However, in the world of 'Donnie Darko the bunny rabbit is quite a different animal! Richard Kelly's cult film 'Donnie Darko' presents a demonic, human-sized rabbit, who announces to a mentally-ill teenager that the world is doomed to end in 18 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. However this is only before the adolescent is lured from his bedroom at midnight, narrowly escaping death from a crushing jet engine that crashes into his bedroom. Donnie spends the movie on a journey to self discovery, embracing his schizophrenic state and differentiating between what is reality and what is fantasy. Set in 1988 during the presidential elections 'Donnie Darko' is centered on a teenage boy named Donnie, played by Jake Gyllenhaal who suffers delusions from schizophrenia. Confronted by this rabbit, who promptly informs Donnie that his name is Frank on his village golf course, Donnie feels it is his responsibility to save the world before it ends on Halloween night. Frequently skipping his medication Donnie's delusions become more frequent and more vivid, giving him the added responsibility of deciding what is real and what is not. Director Richard Kelly pays homage within the film to countless other famous flicks like Back to the Future, The Last Temptation of Christ and E.T which also features Donnie's English Teacher, actress Drew Barrymore. Both written and directed by Kelly, 'Donnie Darko' is the budding film maker's first full length film however he has directed two short films in 1996 and 1997 called 'The Goodbye Place' and 'Visceral Matter'. In spite of his lack of experience in the film world, respectively Kelly's 'Donnie Darko' has achieved and maintained a legendary cult status among viewers. Whether this is due to its appealing cast, engaging story line or eye questioning special effects is anyone's guess. Made clear through the film it is evident that Kelly possesses a fetish for time travel, the supernatural and questions of faith. With the dream soundtrack of any 80's teenager that is sure to satisfy all tastes 'Donnie Darko' features a variety of 80s classics. These include Joy Divisions 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', Tears for Fears 'Head Over Heels' and Duran Duran's 'Notorious'. They are a continuous reminder of the films 80's setting as well as a reflection of the teenage angst felt by Donnie. With a slim budget of $4.5 million you wouldn't expect much from this first time director. However I shortly found an understanding for its renowned cult status after watching the film for myself. Not very popular with critics upon its release in 2001 Donnie Darko found a large fan base when it went to video and DVD release, remaining in the hearts and minds of all those who've had the pleasure of viewing this cinematic masterpiece. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain, Bubble Boy) does an excellent job portraying the warped teenager, revealing the sexual frustrations of male adolescents, the relentless desire to belong and a boy's search for the answer to life's questions. Oscar nominated actress Mary McDonnell plays his concerned mother and his own sibling, Maggie Gyllenhaal (Secretary, Mona Lisa Smile), portrays his rebellious older sister. Donnie's love interest is played by rising star Jena Malone (Life as a House, Pride and Prejudice), who's character has a sordid past and the chosen pseudonym of Gretchen Ross. Dirty Dancing stud Patrick Swayze is the mortal enemy of Donnie playing a self help guru with dark secrets who comes to Donnie's school preaching the idea that emotion is simply divided between fear and love. Donnie disagrees, thinking it's a monetary ploy and in his rebellious wisdom is elected by Frank to see to the demise of Cunningham and reveal him as the fraud that he is. Interestingly Donnie's high school nemesis is played by Jake Gyllenhaals real life friend Alex Greenwald, singer of 'The OC's' memorable theme song 'California', and his trusty side kick is played by the recently famous Seth Rogen star of 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' and 'Knocked Up'. Kelly intentionally wanted this film to mean different things to a variety of viewers. He himself admits, "Maybe it's the story of Holden Caulfield, resurrected in 1988 by the spirit of Phillip K. Dick, who was always spinning yarns about schizophrenia and drug abuse breaking the barriers of space and time. Or it's a black comedy foreshadowing the impact of the 1988 Presidential election, which is really the best way to explain it. But first and foremost, I wanted the film to be a piece of social satire that needs to be experienced and digested several times." Therefore leaving this film difficult for discussion. Those who've seen it and loved it have merely recommended it to others and spread to others the phenomenon that is 'Donnie Darko'. 'Donnie Darko' embraces a variety of genres like sci-fi, romance, and thriller as well as a few of chuckles for the comedy lovers. This apocalyptic tale offers something for every viewer, which could be a potential explanation for its countless devoted fans, who apply the woes of Donnie Darko to the unexplained occurrences in their own distorted lives. As the films tag line quips, 'Life is one long insane trip. Some people just have better directions'.