Beautifully surreal with true elements of greatness

Rating: 10/10 (21 May 2002)

Donnie Darko is an amazing work of cinema on a few different levels. First, the story touches upon so much without seeming forced or edgy. Donnie is, at first glance, your average slacker high school kid, which means he deals with peers who do not like him or understand him, homework which he finds ill suited to his reality, and his first attempt at a relationship. Other than those elements, Donnie deals with delusions or realities involving a giant evil version of Harvey the Rabbit named Frank who claims to be time traveling. Instantly, Donnie's world becomes surreal, but we can all still understand his world, even be part of it. Thats the joy and danger in this film... it would be just as easy to live in his world because it is our world, just out of order. Moreover, the movie keeps pulling you onward with new developments, the characters are all interesting and real, and there are true life moments of sadness and humor. Also, what cinched this for me is its ability to appeal to the film expert or the "fanboy" of pop culture. Ripe with allusions and scenes from movies such as Evil Dead, Martin Scorscese films, and even E.T., The Extraterrestrial, Donnie Darko is one film to watch and bound to be a cult classic a la Cemetary Man.