A well presented, novel idea that keeps you thinking...

Rating: 9/10 (17 January 2003)

I saw this film last week, and whilst I enjoyed it very much for what it was, I wasn't entirely sure it merited its ranking as one of the 100 greatest movies of all time! However, the fact that I am STILL thinking about the picture seven days later would imply that this had a bigger effect on me than I at first imagined. Jake Gyllenhaal turns in an exceptional performance as the lead character, making the viewer feel exactly as he himself is feeling throughout the film. Add to this the sparkling inclusion (and inspired casting) of both Patrick Swayze and Drew Barrymore as sleazy self-help guru and schoolteacher respectively, as well as a breathtakingly original idea, cleverly shot and well scripted, and you will understand why "Donnie Darko" has achieved the acclaim it deserves. So far, I have given the movie 8 out of 10, but I'm beginning to think I should be nudging it up a notch, given the lasting impression it has made on me. We'll see...