Interesting in Many Ways

Rating: Null/10 (9 April 2004)

I think in a way with this film, the social commentary could actually be more important than the plot (certainly more than in other films of the sci-fi genre.)
The plot seems to be almost a theological observation on fate in some ways. It also seems like this was used to add meaning to social interactions in an supernatural way. These religious undertones are apparent, but never in your face. They feel spiritual rather than brash or fundamentalist, and help ask yourself questions, rather than to try to answer them for you.

Donnie sees the world in a different way to others around him, who often seem to be outwardly characterised in diametrically opposed ways.

He is obviously extremely lonely, and there are aspects of coming of age, and learning to be your own person in all of it.
Throughout the film he constantly challenges the lack of grey area in other's moral observations of the world, which continues to alienate him from them and creates both trouble and enlightenment for him and his friends as the story progresses. His supernatural guide, Frank, also seems to help guide his moral ambiguity, and helps Donnie learn about the causality of the unique life he seems to now be leading.
However, one of the most appealing things about the film is that the indignation and pain he feels which seem to be rooted from a lack of connection to others in his society, help justify his place as a 'superhero' of sorts.
His psychiatrist tries to coax him, perhaps looking for a way to logically understand how he thinks and feels - but what could otherwise be someone's delusional fantasy is in fact like an act of God in Donnie's life.
Frank, the giant evil looking bunny could of course be his imaginary friend, as a rational explanation would have it (and as others in his world would probably think.) However, the film doesn't leave you feeling that way, and all the characters seem to end up enlightened in some way by Donnie's actions, even when those actions may never really have taken place.
The film doesn't completely make sense, and has different interpretations to different people, none of which are completely logical.
Firstly it manages to show the futility of one's actions in the universe, because the sum of Donnie's actions actually end his own existence and wipe out his own effects on reality (they are seemingly self nullifying.) But secondly, it also demonstrates how much effect one person's actions have. This is because what happens in the alternate reality affects other people's lives, and sometimes deaths immensely, and had it not taken place, the world would have ended.
It is difficult to understand, and definately without easy explanation, but one of the best films I have seen, for many reasons.
To sum up, it is a beautiful and thought provoking film with some wonderful and inspiring moments, and some great acting. Go watch it if you haven't already.