The PHILOSOPHY (not SCIENCE) of Time Travel

Rating: Null/10 (1 May 2003)

Wow, didn't realise that this little gem I found nestled between Jaws 3D and Friday the 13th part 6 at my local DVD rental shop was so widely discussed by other movie lovers. Interesting to see how others interpret it. I would like to add my own, if you would indulge me...spoilers to follow, beware!!!
Saying that this movie is about time travel or a death dream aka Jacob's Ladder is maybe being too literal in my opinion. Like others I was a bit baffled by the ending and had to contemplate a while to try and figure out what the whole point of this deliciously dark tale is. Like 12 Monkeys, another favourite of mine, probably only the writer really knows, but that's what makes movies like these so rare. Like a special poem, it can be interpreted by the individual to have a special meaning.
I believe that what the writer was trying to say with this movie is summed up by the discussion Donny has with that guy from ER at school (sorry, no time to check the actor's name, forgive me Carter...). Their discussion takes a religious turn and is halted by the teacher for obvious reasons, but I believe that if this discussion was taken further, the message might have been more clear. In the end, my interpretation is this: Donny gets to see what will happen if he strays from the path chosen for him, i.e. not dying when the engines crashes in his room. All seems good, but it turns out that this alternative path has some rather dark twists and tragic conclusions, including the death of Donny's girlfriend and probably his mother and sister as well. In the end Donny decides to accept his fate and not let bad influences (probably embodied by the demonic bunny...brrrr) lead him astray, saving lives of loved ones by sacrificing his own, laughing when realising this just before the engine hits (let happiness in...). A dark little fable with a strong moral message, just like all other good fairy tales...
So I suppose instead of comparing Donny Darko with Jacobs ladder, it might be more accurate to compare it to Sliding Doors on acid...
Well, that's my opinion, use it, don't use it...