Not everything is as it seems....

Rating: Null/10 (29 October 2003)

Unlike most films, Donnie Darko allows one to see beyond just the story and into the characters. Donnie Darko has emotional disorder that exhibits paranoid schizophrenic symptoms. He sees visions of a giant rabbit that tells him to commit certain controversial acts. His girlfriend has just moved from an abusive stepfather that stabbed her mom. The teachers all maintain the ethics of a Christian school but don't necessarily believe in it's truth, except one. Grandma Death role is essential to the underlying meaning of the film whilst her character is an old woman that nearly gets run over whilst going to her mailbox. The characters are portrayed with intelligence and thought.
Time travel is a subject that is rarely portrayed well in a film, but underneath the characters and life stories, Donnie Darko psychological dilemnas focuses on it. As the film develops, Donnie, although very confrontational and somewhat disturbed, he is highly intelligent in his thoughts, actions and words. The acts that he commits have an effect on the community and characters in a positive way and his words make sense.
Whatever thoughts you might have about simple surburbian american life, or theories of time travel, you must see this film. It gets quite bizarre in places, but makes chronological sense. The aeroplane incidents doesn't add up, but it's still enjoyable. Whoever wrote the script did well, and the characters are superb.
9/10