Cellar doors, deep eyes, and the line between Love & Fear

Rating: 10/10 (24 June 2002)

Simply one of the most brilliant films I have ever seen in the genre of semi-supernatural brain twister thrillers. Beautifully shot, written, directed, acted, paced, barbed, designed, rendered & delivered. I love this film, for the terror, laughs, warmth, horror and grateful sadness it offered, every beat sincere, every frame identifiable. Jake Gyllenhaal as Donald 'Donnie' Darko and Jena Malone (who I just saw in Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys, she's no less impressive here) as Gretchen Ross, and an excellent supporting cast. Love the placement of the story in October 1988 in Midwestern suburbia, all the more identifiable for me, just bang on. Richard Kelly II is going to be huge if this film is any indication. Can't believe I'm older than him, ouch (smirk).