One of my all time favorite movies. And that's nothing to be ashamed of.

Rating: 10/10 (9 December 2010)

Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko is a triumph. A film that is a simple character study at the start but evolves into a complex and thrilling story that seamlessly mixes a coming-of-age story and a science fiction based thriller all in one.
On paper this film is far to advantageous to even consider being made. All of the characters are filled with turmoil and spend the majority of the film brooding over what will happen next.
But to simply write this movie off as simple angst or the typical high school movie wouldn't do it justice. These characters wouldn't work if there wasn't a strong performance behind them. Every actor in this film gives a stunning performance. In particular Jake Gylenhaal, Jena Malone, and Drew Barrymore. If any woman was able to pull off a scene where she screams the f-bomb for 20 seconds it is Drew.
The story here is completely unoriginal in base (angsty teenage boy meets new girl at school etc.) but becomes original through concept and through the science aspect that is quite skillfully weaved throughout. From the opening shot to the ending credits you will find yourself completely immersed in these characters, their individual stories, and the overall tragic conclusion they are all absent-mindedly going towards.
If anything can be said in defense for this film it should be it's ending. Heart-breaking, somewhat confusing, but overall moving. The song "Mad World" is used quite effectively in, what I consider to be, one of the greatest and most human montages ever filmed. The movie is great. Nothing I say in this review is going to guarantee that you see it but I would highly recommend that if you have the slightest desire to watch this you should give it a shot.
It is one of my all time favorite films and I believe that it deserves repeated viewings. 10/10