Review Maven

Memorable quotes:

Donnie: Why do you wear that stupid bunny suit?
Frank: Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?

Dr. Lilian Thurman: What did Roberta Sparrow say to you?
Donnie: She said "Every living creature on earth dies alone".

As a person who liked this movie from the first time I saw it, and continue to enjoy it no matter how many times I've seen it, I'm a bit biased.  It also stands to reason that I would go out and purchase the director's cut when it became available.

If you were to ask anyone who has seen this movie what the story is, I'm sure you would get different answers.  Some would say it is the story of a psychotic teenager rebelling against ridiculous adults in his suburban world.  Others would say it is the story of time travel or still others might venture to call it a love story.  The director, Richard Kelly, stated that the film is about navigating through the unknown. Maybe a tale of destiny. It could possibly be the complete fabrication of one of the character's minds. Donnie Darko might be a metaphor for Jesus, sacrificing himself for the good of the world. That is why I love this movie.

The movie is set in 1988. Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the middle of a highway with his bicycle next to him.  He gets back on the bike and pedals, to "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS (one of the only INXS songs I ever liked). This is different from the original cut, which opens with Donnie biking to "The Killing Moon" by Echo and the Bunnymen. I like both songs and both contain lyrics relevant to the movie, but something about that INXS song has always gotten to me.  We soon learn that he has mental issues and is currently not taking his medication, which creates tension between Donnie and his parents.

Later than evening, Donnie is summoned from his bed by a tall, frightening bunny rabbit.  The rabbit informs him that there are less than 30 days left until the end of the world.  While he was out, a jet engine has fallen upon his bed, where he would have been sleeping.  The FAA has no idea where the engine came from and the Darkos are sent to stay in a hotel.

Donnie begins experiencing strange events, including more encounters with Frank (the rabbit).  Donnie's daily life begins to unfold and you see that he is a lonely, confused teenager struggling to understand himself, his place in the world, and the confirmation of a god. In his struggles, he befriends Gretchen Ross (Jena Malone), a new student who is hiding from a past. 

He begins committing illegal acts at the direction of Frank. Donnie also begins to contemplate time travel and discusses his thoughts with a science teacher (Noah Wyle), who reveals to Donnie that Roberta Sparrow (a crazy old lady referred to as "Grandma Death" by the local teens) was once a nun, who left the church, wrote a book about time travel, and began teaching science many years before at that school. Donnie begans reading the book and notices that he is experiencing many similiarities between himself and the feelings described in the book.  Donnie's acts begin peeling back the lies on some local people, prompting his mother to have to chaperone a dance competition for his younger sister.

With Donnie and his older sister Elizabeth (Maggie Gyllenhaal) alone in the house, they decide to throw a Halloween party.  This becomes the crux of the film.  Things begin moving very quickly and the nightmares, hallucinations, and encounters with Frank all come together within the last half hour of the film.

I, of course, give this cut the same high kudos that I give the original cut.  The score and soundtrack are both phenomenal.  The score gives such depth to the characters and the lyrics in the soundtrack are amazingly, quite in sync with the themes in the movie. 

The acting is fantastic.  This was the first movie that I saw Gyllenhaal in and I found his portrayal of Donnie completely real.  Everything about the characters in this movie is completely genuine.  You cannot help but be completely swept away in their emotion, as many of us have felt the same way as these characters. 

On the positive side of this cut, more information is given regarding the time travel aspect of this film. I had to watch the original cut twice to even completely comprehend everything.  There are so many nuances in this movie, that I am amazed at how many times I can watch this movie and catch a subtlety that I may have missed in previous viewings.

On the negative side, its a two DVD set, so you're expecting alot. The second DVD really doesn't offer much, except a glimpse into the minds of some over obsessed fans.  I do recommend watch the "#1 fan Darkomentary", however. I'm not sure if he is joking or nuts.  Please someone else watch it and let me know you're thoughts.

Overall Grade: A