Original and intriguing

Rating: 9/10 (15 August 2002)

This movie came highly recommended from friends, who almost universally praised it, and also almost universally had the same comment:
"It's great, you'll love it - but I can't really explain it."
This wasn't to say that the movie held any deep dark secrets that would utterly spoil it (like Sixth Sense), or even to say that it was so muddled and confusing that it didn't make much sense. No, this comment was made because Donnie Darko isn't a movie that lends itself easily to a one-line synopsis. It's not a film that's easily classified or cataloged. It's just not like anything else on the video shelves. And for that alone, it's worth the rental. Or heck, even the purchase.
Written and directed by first-timer Richard Kelly and set in a small town in 1988, Donnie Darko is the tale of a disturbed teenager (Jake Gyllenhaal, in the title role), who has an epiphany of sorts when he sees an imaginary six-foot tall rabbit. Already undergoing therapy, Donnie's troubled life takes a turn towards the bizarre as Frank the bunny leads him along a quest for meaning and faith, as well as venturing into the theories behind time travel. Along the way, he finds a love interest in Gretchen Ross (Jena Malone), who becomes intertwined in his quest and has some of the same dark and poetic outlooks on life that he holds so dear.
Not a simplistic film by any means, Donnie Darko challenges the viewer at every turn and never once underestimates their intelligence. In fact, upon watching the deleted scenes on the DVD, most of the cuts were made either for time or because they explained the premise too clearly - Kelly states that he didn't want to do the thinking for his audience. As a result, you are gifted with an intriguing story that unfolds in dozens of directions at once, each holding meaning and purpose - if you choose to look for it. This attention to detail is quite rewarding, as little tidbits that seem like throwaway lines and scenes build in importance and pay off at the end.

The score is haunting and effective: The instrumental score by Michael Andrews is mixed with 80s classics from Echo and the Bunneymen and the Church that are more than just cool retro songs thrown into the mix. Lyrically and emotionally, they perfectly fit the scenes they're backing - they have purpose just like all the other details in the film. The final montage of the film is set to a blend of these two musical sources - a cover version of Tears for Fears' 'Mad World' done by Andrews and vocalist Gary Jules. It's brilliant and understated.
Quality acting work is turned in here by the two young leads and also boasts a strong supporting performance by Mary McDonnell as Donnie's mom. Good visuals, a strong script, and a well-conceived and executed ideal bring Donnie Darko into the pantheon of indie classics from recent years. Kelly is a filmmaker worth watching in the future, and Donnie Darko is definitely a film worth watching right now.