The cleverest film ever made

Rating: 9/10 (18 May 2003)

There are certain films that if you are seriously into films, you will never forget watching the first time. Shawshank is one, Usual Suspects is another, Seven, Forest Gump, Godfathers etc. This is up there with any. Make no mistake, if you like puzzling films, this is absolutely genius. Nothing less - GENIUS. Every aspect from dialogue to undertones, from score to simple mis-en-scene is there for you to read and analyze e.g. 'Cellar Door.'

The story tells of a teenage boy, who guided by a giant bunny Frank is saved from death and has 28 days until the world ends. In this time he discovers a child porn addict to the community, and finds his female soul mate. The ending tracks back to the start and this time he does not escape death because Frank the Bunny is not there. The total beauty in this film is; NOBODY KNOWS THE ENDING FOR SURE. Was it a dream, is that why Donnie is laughing? Was it another universe? It is purely a personal reading, even more than a Lynch film. Personally, I like to think the end symbolises missed opportunity and peacefullness in death, and what an absurd place the world can be. It takes on ideas from Groundhog Day and lots of other films into a new level. The performances are breathtaking, especially Donnie. This is the most original and absurd film I have ever seen, also the thought-provoking it provides will keep you thinking for weeks. Did it happen? Those days happened before the start, or after? Did he die? Who knows. Watch it three or four times and you start to grasp the idea more. Totally brilliant and an absolute joy to analyze if you do Film Studies on any level. The final scene is beautiful - the mother and girl seem to know each but have never met. Surely they have, haven't they?