Incredible.

Rating: Null/10 (22 June 2003)

From its premise, this film sounds absurd. A troubled teenager starts seeing a big man-shaped bunny that tells him the world is going to end.
Yup. You read it right. However, this film is quite simply astonishing. Even if you don't understand it all the first time round, you know its makes sense...somehow. The giant rabbit, called Frank (but of course?)is one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen. The sense of impending doom and menace is just the right side of suffocating, but somehow it coexists happily along with sharply observed social satire, and philosophy.
At heart, its a film about Donnie (duh). Donnie is troubled, as he himself admits. He's antisocial and sometimes violent, but he's also brilliant and insightful. He seems to be the only one to see through the local Dr. Feelgood, he's the only one to appreciate his English teachers doomed efforts to reach her class. He can negotiate time-travel theory and physics with ease, but he has trouble telling a girl he likes her. Despite his aggressive behaviour towards his peers, (and authority) it upsets him to see a girl being bullied. The Donnie we see burning down a buildings and swearing at teachers is the same Donnie who breaks down at the thought of dying alone.
Simutaneously monstrous and terrified, Donnie is as much a paradox as the film itself. Its funny...but not really a comedy. The ending is tragic....but not sad. It has time-travel...but its not really sci fi. It raises some interesting questions, and answers just enough to satisfy...but not enough to spoil a repeat viewing.
I saw this yesterday, and it bumped Citizen Kane from my top 5.
To enjoy it most, watch something awful first, before seeing how a film can be made.