Disturbing, confusing and entertaining

Rating: 8/10 (12 January 2004)

8/10
Time-travel, love, God, death, and a big, scary rabbit are all on display in this wonderful and unusual film. Many people have given different theories as to
what it is all about and most of which you can see on the message boards here. But these are all discussions you can have after you watch the movie. And
being able to discuss something after you've seen it doesn't necessarily make it good. What Richard Kelly does is give us an entertaining, scary and stylish one hour and forty minutes.
The central character is a boy named Donnie Darko, a boy troubled by visions
of a large rabbit who tells him the world is going to end in 28 days. The rabbit is a wonderful demonic image with a voice to chill you to the bone. His name is
Frank. Nothing in Donnie Darko will be as you think it should. Kelly, who wrote and directed the film, creates a sinister setting out of an ordinary suburban neighbourhood. It's a surprising and challenging debut from a clearly talented director. The only problem I did have with this picture was that it left you
scratching your head constantly. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't mind having to think when I'm watching a film, but I felt we needed some kind of closure at the end  what we get is a twist which just leaves us with more head scratching to do. Mulholland Drive springs to mind at this moment. A film which I liked more than this  but an equally confusing film. The difference being, I wasn't
expecting an explanation at the end of Mulholland Drive. Donnie Darko bubbles along, suggesting we are going to be told what it is all about. But the
explanations are hidden and difficult to find. But the inspiring visuals and
believable characters pull you through an enjoyable and frightening ride.
Gyllenhall puts in a great performance as Donnie  a highly intelligent and
curious character. Everything he does is understated  always implying a more disturbing side to Donnie. Patrick Swayze is also great as the `inspirational' talker, trying to `combat fear'.
This is a great film and one you will be able to watch over and over. With Donnie Darko, Kelly reminds me of Lynch  I hope Kelly keeps this dark and creative
side and keeps as consistent as Lynch has done.
P.S. For us brits this film came out a year after it did in America. Now why does this have to be? It really annoys me that I have to wait so much longer to see good American art-house movies when films like Spider-man and Star Wars are
released at the same time world-wide.