Deserving of Cult Status

Rating: 8/10 (22 September 2013)

I finally watched Donnie Darko. I knew it was one of those films that had not done well on original box office release but had achieved "cult" status over the years. I think it belongs squarely in the cult category.
It's an unusual film that combines sci-fi, horror and teen angst. Watching Donnie and his family deal with his suspected mental illness, and Donnie dealing with his visions of a 6 ft. rabbit is at times wrenching, comic and completely compelling. Frank the rabbit in Donnie's visions first saves Donnie's life and so Donnie feels compelled to do whatever Frank says -- especially since Frank tells Donnie the world will end in 28 days. Through the twists and turns of what Frank reveals to Donnie begs only one question from me: does Donnie possess a 6th sense that others don't, and that's why he has been diagnosed with a mental illness?
Frank saving Donnie's life and putting Donnie's universe into an alternate path has consequences for everyone around him. What is the purpose of this alternate time line? It seems the only positive purpose is for Donnie to experience that first sweet love and loss in a short young life. It's only with Donnie's re-entrance into the correct time line that the dirty secrets of everyone around him are revealed, secrets that only he was privy to in the alternate time line.
I love a film that pops up in my brain long after viewing. Donnie Darko is one of those films.