A suburban teens faces his dark destiny through delusions and societal ignorance

Rating: 7/10 (6 July 2014)

If only as a potent reminder of de-evolution of our society, I think it fair to tag the decade for reversing trend of organic growth and to highlight the failures of a hypocritical country whose ethical dogma is desperately grasped by lazy public and whose entertainment values the ills of the post-triumphant. In many ways, we've sat still since that time when mass- production of style gave us soul-less art and only through a few precious moments or acts of beauty do we find redemption for letting ourselves end up here. Donnie Darko is eventually labeled an agnostic after years with a Therapist who is out of her element and invokes God as an explanation. Our schools are overrun by fearful mother coalitions justifying their own narcissism through educational and fearful bias. Yet, there is a search for the truth that continues and this discovery, no matter how wild and end of days like, brings joy. Truth brings inner peace. It's a "Mad World" alright, and not to be lumped into "fear" or "love" but to make hay of the gray areas in between. Where Darko loses its' message is in the lack of empowerment (minus the time-travel non-sense). Once you realize every generation inherits a gray mess to sort through you can then stop feeling sorry for yourselves as a generation. That's not about Donnie, but about societal responsibility. If not, "Grandma Death" awaits. Donnie Darko; Keeper of a late 1980's confused generation.