as much light as dark

Rating: Null/10 (21 June 2002)

a powerful movie. very balanced, light humoured approach, and non-judgemental approach to schizophrenia. i like how the normal reality we know and donnie's reality merge and both are plausible within the film. casting was perfect even with the use of big name stars. plot is tight, coherent & intriguing - it didn't seem way out to me, but then i generally don't like the formula-based stuff that gets churned out of hollywood.
the 80's setting is just right. things aren't meant to go askew in the comfortable middle-america which is donnie's family, but donnie is intelligent. he has insights beyond the world of normality.

the music is good, perhaps a bit overpowering, but i liked the first dance scene in the school playground. performances overall were very good. donnie and his girlfriend were great. i assume the director purposely stereotypes nearly all the other characters for humour except the lovely drew barrymoore and donnie's family.
there were some powerful moments for me: the glances from the girlriend on the bike at the end, the opening scene where donnie is asleep.
go see it!