very original, thoughts provoking concoction

Rating: Null/10 (7 July 2003)

Let me start with this: This is a must see movie. Forget what you have heard or read about Donnie Darko and just go and get the DVD release. The suggested atmosphere is: a dark room (you should let the moon light in though), lying on your bed (preferably alone), leave the usual popcorn or snack in the kitchen this time and get ready to experience something original.
I am not gonna tell you that I could dig the whole concept because I couldn't and even if I did, that wouldn't necessarily be the right answer. This is one of those: Vanilla Sky, Mullholland Dr., Lost Highway, Dark City and etc. kind of movies that wont provide you with the answer; it will make you work for it. Yes, this one requires some heavy lifting and that's the beauty of it. There are so many films out there where you can tell the end by just seeing the title or the leading actors. Those are not fun and we all know that. Well this one is different.
I would say the plot was toooo complicated. Trying to make something really different and big, Richard Kelly (director and writer) got lost himself and us into the story. He could have simplified the script a bit to mine modest opinion. Because of the great number of different stories and characters throughout the movie the end fell short. It was of course impossible to comprise all the pieces into a 5 min meaningful ending. Kelly should have stick to a bit less of characters and slightly reduce the number of different stories and ideas. Just a bit. Notwithstanding, the whole cast was brilliant, especially the Darko es family. Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie) delivers a great performance. I canft imagine any better way to play this role. He is the sole of the film. Amazing. Memorable. Mary Mc Donnell (his mother) was my second best with the greatest line in the movie: asked by her son ghow does it feel like to have a Wacko for a sonh she answers git feels, wonderfulh. Jena Malone (Gretchen) is also perfect for the role. And the whole 80fs sentiment with the soundtrack definitely pulled some strings.
And at the end my understanding of the movie is: donft try to explain everything simply because you canft. There are certain things that cannot be explained and are better left such. And when you think, it wonft change a thing even if we could so because not everything has to do with reasoning. Human nature. This is one thing. Second thing has to do with not waiting somebody else to provide you with the right answers. Find your own answer to that movie as well. And I wanted to finish with something about sacrifice and ordinary people but it will be better to leave it unsaid.