Harvey On Hallucinogenics

Rating: 9/10 (6 May 2003)

Donnie Darko is a film I've been meaning to watch for about a year now, since it has become something of a cult film. Also, a lot of people I know who have seen it have an opinion about it and appeared to be one of those "love it or hate it" films which intrigue me even more. Interestingly enough, the main praise I have heard is that it is a movie that makes you really think, which is the biggest complaint I've heard about it as well.

**Possible spoiler if you don't read the back of the VHS or DVD, I believe**
Donnie Darko stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Darko, a suburban teen who is emotionally and mentally disturbed. By day, he lives a quasi-functional existence, but generally at night, he is visited by a nightmarish rabbit with a scary skull head who tells him to go out and perform destructive acts. Why would Donnie do this? Because on October 2, 1988, Donnie is beckoned outside by Frank the rabbit, just in time to avoid the plane engine that comes crashing through Donnie's bedroom. Therefore, Donnie feels indebted to Frank, who tells him that in 28 days, the world will end. The film then follows the next 28 days of Donnie's life.
I was enjoyed this film for so many reasons. One primary draw is a great character, and Donnie Darko is definitely an incredibly multi-dimensional character. I was so thrilled to see a figure who is conflicted, eccentric and disturbed, yet incredibly intelligent. His continual questioning of authority because of his expansive way of thinking is extremely refreshing because so many times we see films where youths question the status quo but don't have the bones to back it up. Along with the main character, there is an impressive supporting cast - most notably Mary McDonnell as Donnie's mom and (words I never thought I would utter) a small but effective performance by Patrick Swayze as a local self-help guru.
I have to make a special mention for Jake Gyllenhaal's performance as Darko. I had never seen him in a film before this week, and I have now seen him in two, this one and The Good Girl. I am really looking forward to watching the progression of his career and to see what types of roles he takes in the future because he is extremely talented. He seems to bring a very believable soulfulness, maturity and intelligence to his roles which was personified in this film.
Films that leave many aspects of the plot open for interpretation is another genre that I am attracted to, and this film does just that. The director, Richard Kelly is still young and has the potential for having a very interesting career if this movie is any indication. His style is a mixture of two of my favorite directors, Paul Thomas Anderson and David Lynch, a very attractive combination. Like PT Anderson he has rich character studies and uses the soundtrack in an extremely effective manner. I absolutely loved the 80's new wave soundtrack, because you absolutely believe that those songs would be on a mix tape Donnie would put together. And like Lynch, he explores dark elements to every day life and isn't afraid to insert bizarre characters into his vision. (Hence Frank the rabbit who, and maybe I missed something if he was supposed to be funny, didn't make me laugh once - I actually took him very seriously and was a little frightened by him).
One wouldn't expect to find any humor in a movie that explores mental illness, an impending apocalypse and even the existence of God, but I did laugh a few times. Most of the laughs were at Jim Cunningham's (Patrick Swayze) expense, and were usually extremely subtle which is again extremely refreshing.
Don't bother with this film if you are not interested in suspending disbelief for two hours, and don't even attempt it if you like your stories handed to you on a silver platter, with beginning middle and end explained complete with charts and diagrams. If you are interested in cinema that takes chances and is going to make you think about it for hours, possibly days after then check this film out immediately because it is outstanding.
--Shelly