great movie, confusing ending

Rating: 8/10 (8 April 2002)

Donnie Darko is a great film. It's filled with interesting characters(how can you hate a film with a six foot rabbit), snappy dialogue(Smurfs.) and a mind bending story. However, the first time I saw it I was extremely confused about the end. I still liked the film but could not figure out just what the hell happened (I know for a fact I'm not the only one). So, when it came to video I rented the DVD and watched it 3 times, twice with commentary, and I believe I have finally figured it out. So if you wish to know more read on, if not go rent the film, and then read on.
****************SPOILERS*********************
There is a tear in the time space continum and a parallel universe is created. This happens sometime around when the clock strikes 12 before the engine first falls through Donnie's roof. However, this universe is unstable and will collapse in one month. So god(or some higher power) sends Frank the rabbit down to be a messenger, for Donnie has been chosen to save the world. Donnie even possesses superpowers when he sleepwalks(thats how he got the axe on top of the dog's head)and the storm that forms at the end of the film was created by Donnie himself. All the things Frank tells Donnie to do has relevance, The burning of the house is to insure that his mother's plane is at the right location at the right time so that Donnie may rip off the engine, thus creating a portal through time, and send every one from that parallel universe back to the first one before it collapses. At the end when the characters lie awake at night it is because thay have fait memories from their existence in the other life. The death of Donnie's girlfriend is insurance on the part of god, to make sure he in deed goes through with it.
If you did not get this from the film, I don't blame you. It took me 4 viewing to understand. But don't take myword on it, watch the commentary for yourself.
If you have any different theories though, I'd definately like to hear them.