A good movie if you can stand time travel

Rating: 9/10 (30 October 2004)

Donnie Darko is Richard Kelly's first(?) movie and it walks the line between human drama and science fiction. The sheer weirdness of Donnie endears us to him as we try to comprehend the boy behind the eyes. Also of note are the supporting characters. A gigantic, grotesque, yet calming, rabbit, some teachers, a teenage love interest and a guidance counselor provide contrasts to Donnie. Of great importance to myself is the scene in the lecture hall, the great square off between Donnie and the anti-Donnie if you will. One strange-on-the-outside-calm-on-the-inside character against his exact opposite. Time travel is the other side of this coin and is probably what confused most people. This could have been the movie's only weakness but if you are like me and can stand a bit of a head trip it isn't too overbearing. The movie's achievements aren't huge but they don't have to be. There are characters we care about and a plot to keep them floating along. A good way to spend some hours.
9/10