"Donnie Darko"- The quintessential movie for social misfits and weirdos who grew up in the 90's and 2000's.

Rating: 8/10 (28 December 2016)

Perhaps one of the most beloved cult-classics ever crafted, writer/director Richard Kelly's "Donnie Darko" to this day still holds a place in the heart of every outcast, social misfit or general "weirdo" who grew up in the late 90's and early 2000's. A brooding tale of Science Fiction and drama, "Darko" is very much emblematic of its time, symbolizing the sort-of loss of innocence and change in cultural direction many in my millennial generation have felt over the past twenty years. And though it may not quite hold up now, fifteen years after its initial release, I do think that for the most part it remains a relevant and fairly compelling movie that can be analyzed and debated by fans of film and complex storytelling. It just unfortunately suffers for feeling a bit dated and trying too hard to speak exclusively to the loners and oddballs.
In October of 1988, troubled teenager Donnie Darko is haunted by visions of a man wearing a demonic rabbit costume who calls himself "Frank", and warns Darko of the impending destruction of the Earth. After Frank's aid seems to help him avoid a curious and inexplicable brush with death, Donnie is manipulated into performing an ever- growing list of crimes and demented activities all while dealing with typical teen angst and issues. However, it will soon become clear that there is a great plot at hand, when Frank asks Donnie about the concept of Time Travel...
To start, the film's casting is quite remarkable and I think the perfect players were selected for each and every role. Jake Gyllenhall makes for a fairly complex and fascinating protagonist, and despite how off-kilter Donnie can be with his plethora of psychological turmoils, you still feel for the guy and want to see where the story goes. Supporting roles by the likes of Mary McDonnell, Drew Barrymore and Jake's own sister Maggie Gyllenhaal all perform their parts admirably and with great flair. And there's even a really surprising and fun turn by the late Patrick Swayze as a motivational speaker with some skeletons in his closet that shows just how good Swayze could be when he was able to stretch his acting chops. Director Kelly also excels as a visual storyteller with some beautiful camera-work and a keen eye for composition that he compliments with a gleefully moody soundtrack and a deliberate sense of pacing. While his later work may have suffered for its meandering and needlessly confusing plotting, Kelly's talent as a filmmaker is on full display here in terms of visual artistry. However, I do think that his more than competent directorial eye cannot quite overcome the most obvious fault of the film.
I've recently began to find that the most fascinating thing about "Donnie Darko" in terms of writing and filmmaking is that it is very much a film where the quality of the story at large doesn't quite work with the tone and style of the dialog and general structuring. Kelly actually manages to craft a compelling and consistently intriguing premise, and it affords much room for interpretation and discussion. Ideas like closed time loops, destiny and fate run rampant and will keep most viewers guessing and theorizing throughout its runtime and even beyond. And yet, the film also feels a bit forced in retrospect because of the tone and style Kelly establishes. I think there's a real reason why the film spoke to so many of us when we were in High School or College... this is essentially the movie every Goth kid or oddball who sat alone during Lunch or loner who spent study-hall drawing dark and sarcastic doodles in his notebook dreamed of. With a cynical voice and sometimes dated visual motifs that ooze the early 2000's, this movie is essentially the perfect personification of what everyone wanted to see when they were younger and coming of age. And that's where it loses some points for me. It just doesn't quite hold the same relevance when you're pushing 30 and decide to re-visit it after having not seen it in a couple years.
However, this fairly major complaint aside, I do still think that the movie is fundamentally a very good experience and is for the most part still well-worth the time of those who will go in with an open mind. Dated attitudes and ideas aside, the complexity of the basic plot line will keep you completely invested as you ponder the deeper meaning of each and every tripped-out scene and trying to predict the next big twist or turn in the narrative. And the performances will also speak to you in the best of ways as every actor is given their moment to shine on a consistent basis. While the movie may be a bit too "quirky" and "gothy" for its own good during more than a few scenes (I know I rolled my eyes when Frank sarcastically asks Donnie "Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?"), this cannot detract much from its greater qualities. It's a very good film... just a slightly troubled one that doesn't quite hold up as perfectly as we might nostalgically remember.
I give "Donnie Darko" a very good 8 out of 10.