Must-See Movies: Donnie Darko

Source: Wikipedia

Long before he was battling the elements in The Day After Tomorrow and jumping back and forth in time in Source Code, Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in a film highly regarded nowadays as a cult classic. Released in 2001, Donnie Darko initially received a frosty reception, with its box office takings not surpassing the film’s actual budget. It wasn’t until the film’s dvd release that it and Writer/Director Richard Kelly began to receive the accolades that were so fully deserved.

It’s 1988 and our main point of focus is a young man named Donnie Darko. Donnie is a troubled individual who is experiencing post-apocalyptic visions and has recurring visits from a man in a bunny suit named Frank. Frank is there to deliver a message, the world is going to end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. Plagued by Frank, Donnie is on a downward spiral, a puppet to Frank's wishes and aware of the impending apocalypse set to bring life to an end. Questioning the reality and meaning of his visions, Donnie embarks on a journey of self discovery and also looks to delve further into the realms of time travel before the world ultimately ends.

Driven by a fantastic cast, including the likes of Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore and Noah Wyle, Donnie Darko is a true cinematic masterpiece. Despite such a strong cast in terms of well known names, it is the likes of a young Maggie Gyllenhaal and a fantastic turn from Daveigh Chase (who later starred in the less successful offspring, S. Darko) whose roles are to be appreciated most. Gyllenhaal is superb as older sister Elizabeth and Chase introduces herself to the film world with a wonderfully innocent performance as young Samantha Darko.

Early appearances from some now well-known names are somewhat of a common occurrence in Donnie Darko. With the aforementioned Gyllenhaal siblings in leading roles, we also get glimpses of future stars Seth Rogen and Ashley Tisdale as well as Sucker Punch's Jena Malone, who plays Donnie's girlfriend Gretchen. Comedy king Rogen is reduced to little more than one line in the movie as a school bully and Tisdale's part is minimal as a geeky youngster asking for advice at a self-help talk. In truth, it is actually Malone who is well suited to the extended role. As Gretchen she is almost a female equivalent of Gyllenhaal's Darko, a quiet spirit with no true friends and secrets to hide. Her chemistry with the young lead drives the relationship mechanics of the film and gives a positive lasting impression.

When praising Richard Kelly's magical masterpiece it would be unfair not to mention the absolutely first rate soundtrack. Blending together some of the best artists from the 80s, including Duran Duran, Joy Division and Echo & The Bunnymen, we really are transported back to the great 'Breakfast Club' era. The pumping beats of Tears For Fears’ Head Over Heels is used to great effect in a scene whizzing through a bustling high school. The beautifully haunting 'Mad World' by Gary Jules hitting all the right notes to create a superb finale to the film. Kelly clearly chose the perfect songs to match the moods of different sequences in the picture.

Personally, it is my belief that Donnie Darko is among the greatest films of all time. A thriller where you are left to make your own interpretations of the events following its conclusion is much more effective and leaves you demanding to watch again to pick out anything missed on the first viewing. Needless to say, the film is complex and it will certainly will have you scratching your head at times, but the beauty is in the fact that you as the viewer are left to your own devices to interpret the events that unfold. We are never spoon fed the answers to our lead character's conundrum, something completely unique and often lacking in great science fiction dramas.

Richard Kelly's feature length directorial debut is a true work of art that I urge you to marvel at multiple times. An involved, thinking-man's flick, Donnie Darko is a gem in the time travel sub-genre, combining science fiction, love and humour all in one swoop. Admittedly some will simply discard it through lack of discipline but persevering with the film will only see you benefit from the wonders of a true visionary's mind.