Donnie Darko (2001 - Richard Kelly)
Thanks to the magic of Digital Video Recording, I finally saw the infamous movie, Donnie Darko. Rightly so, people would always be very surprised when I said I had not seen the movie. They would tell me that I need to see it, preceded by "That movie is wicked," "That's a messed up movie," or something about a creepy bunny. So I was expecting to see a different kind of movie. But there are three thoughts I had while watching the movie that I wasn't quite expecting:
(1) Donnie Darko was the main character, and the creepy bunny was named Frank - not the other way around.
(2) The movie is largely about life and God
(3) It is an extremely good movie
There is a particular scene in the movie where Donnie and Frank finally have a conversation, and the following dialogue takes place...
Donnie: "Why are you wearing that stupid bunny suit"
Frank: "Why are you wearing that stupid man suit"
Donnie asks the question that everyone in the audience is curious about. What is the deal with the creepy bunny costume? We don't get a straight answer because it is a superficial question and the movie is anything but superficial. The question we should be asking, which Frank does ask, is "Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?" This is a question for us, for you and me. Why are you wearing that stupid man suit. Who are you? Where does your identity lie? Why are you trying to hide your iniquities? Stop judging other people and start looking at your own life.
One thing that makes this movie great is that it subtly asks those questions to the audience, and simultaneously gives us an example. Look at the character of Jim Cunningham. His job is to help people get closer to the love end of the fear-love scale that he created. He supposedly empowers people by overcoming their fears. And he gives the impression that he has no problems because he has overcome his fears. Then his house burns down and he is forced to share his personal life…we see that he is into child pornography. Jim Cunningham, why are you wearing that stupid man suit?
In addition to the depth of Donnie Darko, it is an entertaining movie. It keeps the audience curious about what will happen next, and especially what will happen in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. The occurrences of Frank are each creepy and intriguing. And the combination of Donnie's schizophrenic tendencies and time travel ideas stop you from forming an indefinite idea of where this movie is going. It could easily go either way and be a believable and acceptable way for the movie to go.
Many great movies make you think by asking deep questions without actually asking them. This is what Donnie Darko does, and that's why it's not just a good movie, but a great movie.
Donnie Darko - 8 out of 10
I, too, enjoyed this movie. I haven't seen the sequel, which I heard is awful. Just so you know, I was so impressed with the movie that I watched it with the director commentary on, and it ruined it for me. Avoid it. He doesn't help you understand the mysteries behind the movie, he just reinforces the fact that a lot of people arrive to greatness by accident.
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