Unusual and ambiguous film that has a lot to say

Rating: 8/10 (6 January 2003)

I liked this movie a lot, because of the story and for its style, ambiguity, and filming techniques. Though not for everyone, this somewhat cynical story has much to say about a teenager who is dealing with his own fate. I think we can all get different meaning out of it, though, because everything is so complicated from the very start of the film.
I don't want to be a spoiler, so if you haven't viewed the movie, please don't read on.
To me, this seems to be a movie where the main character, Donnie Darko, must deal with his own fate ... the realization that he is dying and only has 28 days to "time travel" to his grave and accept his own death. There are also a lot of other stories within this story (i.e., youth rebellion, political and religious dichotomies, the American way of life, and simply the complications that come with being a teenager).
The bunny Frank, I believe, helps carry Darko to his own destination ... his own death. When Darko finally kills Frank, he kills his own human existence and opens the "cellar door" to his own death.
The reason I think Darko is really already dead after the fatal accident, which occurs in his own bedroom, is because his whole persona changes after this point. Before this point, he seems like your typical, rebellious teenager, calling his mother a "bitch" and arguing with his sister. Then, after the accident, he walks around almost like a zombie with a funny expression on his face. He acts silly, and nothing seems to bother him anymore. He also only starts taking his medication after the accident. But Darko having to deal with his own fate is juxtaposed with other themes, such as looks at American suburban life, teenage turmoil, and religious and political themes.
Donnie wants to go back to his human existence but knows that he can't. Frank the bunny tells him the world is going to end in 28 days. Perhaps what Frank means it that Darko's world as he knows it is about to end.

Perhaps this movie is also a look at our modern medical association and how rebellious and mildly depressed teenagers are viewed by our society. Is there really anything really wrong with Darko, or is he just your typical, pissed-off teenager who must go through the motions to figure things out for himself? After Donnie is already dead and takes his medication, that's when he starts drooling, a possible effect from his medication. He also stops acting like he did in the first five minutes of the film.

This movie is really good. I liked how it is set in the 80s. It made me feel nostalgic. Everything-- the music, the fast-forward motion-- seems to coincide with the storyline. The fast forward motion seems to illustrate the routine motion of teenage school life with the same stereotypical students (i.e. the good kids, the bad kids, the picked-on kids) and teachers (the young, idealistic teacher versus the conservative, overbearing and even fanatical teacher).
I gave this movie an 8/8. I watched it twice, but this movie is one of those films that you must watch several times, and every time you watch it, you will probably pick up something you hadn't before.