Debut film by Richard Kelly is unsettling and intriguing

Rating: 8/10 (14 June 2002)

Watch this movie without any preconieved notion of how it will turn out. This is definitely for the section of filmgoers who thought "Vanilla Sky" layed out all of the answers too blantantly at the conclusion. All of the performances are top-notch. I loved seeing Katherine Ross in a new quality film even if she is given very little to do. Jake Gyllenhaal is commanding and impressive in his performance as the titular troubled teen. The chemistry between Jena Malone ("Stepmom") and Gyllenhaal is one of the highlights of the film along with the small, intimate performances of Donnie's family members (Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osbourne, Maggie Gyllenhaal) and his teachers (Noah Wyle, et. al). My only complaint is the lack of development of Drew Barrymore's character. There is nothing for her to do in the film and the scenes focusing on her always foreshadow more of her involvement in the plot, but, alas, this never comes to fruitation. "Donnie Darko" is a very good film, it is very reminiscent of "American Beauty" and "Memento" in some aspects, and slightly reminiscient of "Vanilla Sky" in very few. I enjoyed the film immensely and will definitely watch it again.