A surrealist and very original cult gem that is not to be missed!

Rating: 8/10 (21 October 2003)

Donnie Darko is one stylish movie, but unlike many stylish films; this one's greatness is certainly not at all down to superficiality. The plot and script of this movie are both superb examples of great film-making. Drama, comedy, Sci Fi, Horror and romance are all present in this movie, and the comedy in particular is especially prominent in the early stages. I was laughing out loud at some parts including Donnie's little disagreement with the local celebrity, Jim Cunningham (Patrick Swayze), and the meeting between Donnie's parents and Donnie's English teacher over the incident of him telling her to "shove the book up her anus", as she put it. Donnie Darko revolves around it's title character, who is portrayed brilliantly by up and coming young actor; Jake Gyllenhaal. Jake plays a disturbed teenager who is visited by a rabbit suit wearing "being" from an unknown origin, who tells him that the world will come to an end in 28 days. The film follows the classic coming of age story and shows the young man becoming understanding of the world around him. However, this is not your average tale of coming of age, far from it in fact; as this dark and surreal film stands apart from just about every other coming of age story in existence by way of it's interwoven themes of Space, time and morality.
Set in 1988, newcomer Richard Kelly consciously blends a blissful eighties style with a great soundtrack of tunes from the era, and even finds time to show my favourite horror film of all time; the classic zombie flick, "The Evil Dead". Kelly's film is a strange yet compelling masterpiece, which puts him up there with surrealist David Lynch in terms of strangeness. I hope that this isn't Kelly's last offering as it would be a shame because he definitely has what it takes to make a film with not a lot of promise in its premise become a masterpiece. The cast, with the exceptions of Patrick Swayze and Drew Barrymore, is made up of relatively unknown actors, which is a surprise, as all the acting is great and all the characters are put across surprisingly well. Jake Gyllenhaal in particular is brilliant as Donnie Darko, portraying his character powerfully and believably. The rather sexy Jena Malone, another Hollywood unknown, also does very well, in the lead female role of Gretchen. Also of note in the movie is Jake's sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, who takes the role of his on-screen sister also.
Donnie Darko became an almost instant cult hit on release, and for some reason that has also gained it a rather unflattering reputation. This is unfair, as although the movie is now very much in the public domain, has been seen by everyone and isn't that little cult gem that it used to be; it has lost none of it's originality or power (and why would it?) in it's transition from small indie film to massive popular hit. The final song played on this movie is Tears for Fear cover; a lovely piece by Gary Jules entitled, of course called "Mad World". This song is a great way to end the movie as not only is it a great song, but it seems to have the power to pull the whole thing together through it's heartfelt deliverance of some very touching lyrics. Ignore the people that lambaste it's popularity; Donnie Darko is a masterpiece.