Good but Wildly Overrated

Rating: 6/10 (3 December 2006)

I recently reviewed my DVD of "Donnie Darko" and was disappointed. What seemed fresh and engrossing about the film had gone stale over the couple of years that the DVD had stayed in its case.
Please don't let me put you off if you haven't seen it yet. "Donnie Darko" is well-acted and the bonkers script just manages to avoid disappearing up its own fundament, but it's no classic.
Director/writer Richard Kelly didn't waste his time at film school and "Donnie Darko" is his first stab at running the whole show. The film is a bold and only slightly self-conscious mix of high school drama, mental illness and metaphysics. Unfortunately it doesn't contain enough movie magic to merit further viewings. However, I urge you to watch it if you haven't already seen it.