Wow.

Rating: 9/10 (6 November 2001)

Jake Gyllenhaal deserves an Oscar nomination for his understated work in this truly original movie. I also thought Holmes Osborne, Mary McDonnell, and Katherine Ross were excellent. The writer/director is obviously a major new talent and I thought Donnie Darko was intriguing and thought-provoking, while others seemed to have found it mystifying and confusing. (Don't listen to them!) The blending of genres into something brand new was exciting and I can't recommend this movie more strongly. Some weak supporting performances (Drew Barrymore especially) don't do much to detract from the film's merits. Along with Our Song and Hedwig & the Angry Inch, this is at the top of my list of the best films of the year. 9/10.