A treat at many levels

Rating: Null/10 (11 July 2004)

I just saw the Director's Cut, and wow what a film. I would have seen the original cut, but it was only in town for a couple of weeks, so I didn't get a chance to see it. I was excited when it was re-released as the D.C., so I could see it on the big screen. I'm looking forward to renting the original cut, so I can compare the two.
The first thing I noticed about this movie is that it is a sheer pleasure to watch, an observation that I have not seen in any of the comments I've read so far! From the opening scene of Donnie sleeping on the road, to Frank's costume, to the brilliant montages, this movie is more visually appealing than most films I've seen in the past couple of years.
The other compelling aspect I found in this is of course Donnie himself. While I confess that I've never committed arson, nor felt the desire to, I can certainly relate to the craziness of trying to grow up in an environment where the only thing you know for sure is that nothing seems to make any sense, and maybe I'm just as disturbed as Donnie, but being haunted by a ghostly 6-foot bunny rabbit seemed oddly familiar.
I have the feeling there is far more to this movie than what I got at the first viewing, but its scathing commentary on American culture was spot on. (SPOILER AHEAD! ! !) It makes complete sense that the motivational speaker championing the troupe of little girls dressing and dancing like hookers has a secret collection of kiddie porn in a society that vilifies child pornography and child molestation on the one hand, but sexualizes child in advertising.