Donnie Darko a winner

Rating: 10/10 (10 May 2006)

This quirky film may go in the history books as a cult classic, but it is far more than that and shouldn't be shoved into some special interest niche. Jake Gyllenhaal's interpretation of the benighted Donnie Darko is nothing short of brilliant, and he is supported by a first-rate cast. The screenplay is straightforward enough to make the story completely believable. This direction is tight and focused. There's no ambiguity of purpose in how Donnie's story is told. While I was appropriately impressed with Jake's Gyllenhaal's performance in "Brokeback Mountain" - and it was mighty stunning - it's "Donnie Darko" which has made a me a Jake Gyllenhaal fan. This man is no pretty-faced flash in the pan, though it has to be admitted that he's a handsome dude. We will be seeing more of him in the future.