Like a John Hughes and Lynch 1980's film

Rating: 9/10 (16 March 2012)

Donnie Darko released in 2001 is a mind twister of a film. While this film was not a hit at the box office upon release, it has gained a rabid cult following. If you were to take the John Hughes films of the 80′s, mix them up with a bit of 12 Monkeys sprinkle in a touch of David Lynch, then you might craft a similar film. Donnie Darko is the sort of film that you will watch and then wonder what exactly just happened. Then sit down and re watch again. The plot involves time travel, a mysterious fat guy in red jump suit and a 6 foot tall evil-looking bunny rabbit named Frank.
Donnie is in many ways a typical adolescent high school student. He attends a private school, is highly intelligent, yet gets into trouble for questioning authority figures and juvenile shenanigans. However, Donnie also has a bit of a dark side, he has been sleep walking, seeing a therapist and taking his prescribed medication sporadically. The opening scene of the film, shows Donnie asleep in the road next to his bike as morning dawns, Donnie has been sleep riding again.
We soon learn that Donnie has been having visions. Specifically, a six-foot tall scary as hell looking bunny that tells Donnie things. Frank the Bunny instructs Donnie to leave his bed again and go outside, he informs Donnie that the world is going to end in 28 days 6 hours 42 minutes and 12 seconds. When Donnie awakes, it's morning again and he is on the green of a golf course. Upon returning home he is shocked to discover that his house is surrounded by police, and FBI agents, and a Jet engine has crashed through the roof of his house and into his bedroom. It appears that Frank the Bunny has saved Donnie's life by having him sleep on a golf course. Donnie starts to give much more credence to the words of Frank and his prophecies.
Soon we are introduced to his school, friends, sexy English teacher (Drew Barrymore), and learn more about his family dynamics and his world in general. While a classic 80′s soundtrack plays in the background, the frequency of Donnie's interactions with Frank and subsequent anti-social behaviors increase. However, all is not terrible in Donnie's life as he soon finds a kindred spirit and girlfriend in Gretchen (Jena Malone), the new girl at school. As the time till when the world will end draws ever closer, Donnie becomes more and more interested in a book written about the philosophy of time travel, and righting the wrongs he perceives around him. Will the world really end or is Donnie slipping further and further into some sort of schizoaffective disorder?
No I am not going to give the ending of the film away, or attempt to explain my interpretation of the movie, you will have to watch it for yourself. Or wait for a later post on discussion of the film. Strong performances by both the lead Jake Gyllenhaal, and the supporting cast, including Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Patrick Swayze and others add to the immersive world created by the writer/director. If you went to high school in the late 1980′s, or enjoy movies that will keep you guessing and foster lots of discussion upon conclusion, you might want to add this film to your Netflix queue.