regardless of the confusion or impossibility... you cannot not deny the messages this film sends...

Rating: 8/10 (17 October 2007)

First off, I'm commenting on the original version of the film not the director's cut. It's pretty pathetic to read so many 10/10 reviews by people who love the movie for the mere fact that it confused them. Here are the more meaningful things I've gotten from the film: 1.) Gretchen's determent of kissing Donnie. she claims she wants it "to be at a time that shows her how beautiful the world can be". This moment happens when Seth and Ricky remind her of the horrific past regarding her step-father stabbing her mother. She runs out of the building crying, Donnie catches up and tries to calm her. She then kisses him. Thus implying the essentiality of balance; this world is perfect imperfection.
2.) Time travel / God has a plan. everything moves along a set path and you CAN change your destiny and NOT betray it by traveling within "God's" channel. Although far from fully understandable, the notion is none-the-less truly thought-provoking. You think of the Bible and how God's actions from earth's creation to throwing down Lucifer are subject to time, space, and linearity... theoretically meaning, God would too have a channel like us.
3.) Donnie goes to Grandma Death's home to find the "cellar door". As he is held down by Seth with a knife to his throat he says, "our saviour" and "deus ex machina", referring to his wishful thinking that Frank is coming with answers. Frank saved Donnie's life and helped him save others as well... When school is canceled because Donnie flooded it, a girl says, "The boys locker room is flooded and they found feces everywhere." ...Think boys locker room and Jim Cunningham. To sum this one up... Frank unintentionally killed Gretchen. Donnie then kills Frank despite all Frank has done for him. So Frank is the victim who is showed no remorse, yet he is selfless, proving so when he travels back in time to say sorry to Donnie. That's just beautiful.
Even with all the moving messages this film sends, it does have one flaw... Chronologically, the "jet engine fiasco" happens before Halloween (Frank's death). So Donnie would have died before anything that involves himself with Frank or Gretchen takes place. This flaw is easily overlooked by the compelling narrative and self interpretation left to the viewer. 8/10