The less you know about Darko, the better.

Rating: 10/10 (20 October 2002)

I saw 'Donnie Darko' on Friday night.
I can say with absolute certainty that I have never been as blown away by a film as I am by 'Donnie Darko.'
In fact I went back to the cinema on Saturday afternoon and saw it for a second time. It's that good. Like 'Fight Club', it's definitely the sort of film where a second viewing is really beneficial.
I went in knowing little to nothing about this film, and that's the best way to approach it. The less you know about 'Darko', the better your enjoyment of the film will be. This is the sort of film that doesn't treat it's audience like children. It doesn't provide a simple story, it doesn't offer up any easy answers. This is the sort of brave and innovative filmmaking that makes up for all the insipid 'paint-by-numbers' films that have become standard multiplex fare. It's this sort of film that restores your faith in cinema. Every performance here is no less than first class, every moment no less than totally engaging. If there were any semblance of logic in the world then this movie would be #1 at the box office.
'Donnie Darko' is a cryptic, haunting gem of a movie that will stay with you long after the final credits roll.