Review: Donnie Darko (2001)

Donnie Darko (2001)

"Why do you wear that stupid bunny suit?"
"Why do you wear that stupid human suit?"

I've watched this movie 8 times, so far, with no end in sight. It is one of the most brilliant movies I have ever seen. Everything about this debut from director Richard Kelly is perfect.

The storyline, while very complex and not completely explained by the end of the movie (one of the movies best qualities) is so intricate and under-developed that the viewer can't help but interpret this movie to death. The acting is superb, with some notable appearances (Patrick Swayze plays a convincing self-help guru, Drew Barrymore plays a mediocre role as a teacher). The music picked for this movie rocks, as does the way they use it (for instance, scenes where characters are obviously talking but the music drowns them out), which while not an original idea, helps to add to this movie's weird quality.

The directing was top notch, especially coming from first-timer Richard Kelly. Working with a very small budget, and calling in a few favors, he was able to create a masterpiece. He was able to get special effects done for nothing, get a license to play Evil Dead in his movie for nothing, and get permission to use Christina Applegate's persona as a sex-symbol which helped to keep the movie within budget. The entire movie was shot in 28 days for approximate $5 million.

The only gripe I have with this movie is that he tried to keep it under 2 hours, and cut many scenes that should have been left in. All the scenes are on the DVD viewable with and without commentary, but a directors cut with all scene's added in their proper place is definately needed.

I'm interested to hear what others thought about this movie. Many people do not like it because it does not explain everything 'nor does it come to a clear ending. However, apparently enough people like it for it to be on IMDB's Top 250 list.

I wish I could talk about the plot in this review, but it is very hard to do without giving away too many details. This is the kind of movie that you need to see for yourself. And you definately should see this for yourself. Maybe 10 times. Maybe 20. Maybe by then, you can create a rational explanation for everything in the movie, not realizing you are forgetting one little detail which ruins it all. So you watch it another 20 times. And so on.

My Rating: 10/10 - Bought this for $10 at BestBuy and worth 100x more than that, in my eyes. I will warn everyone once again that if you do not like movies which require interpretation, move along.

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0246578

__________________
"Senator: Mr. Gates, when did you realize you were creating a monopoly?

Bill Gates: Monopoly is just a game senator, I'm trying to control the fucking world" - Robin Williams

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

i agree with your rating.. this movie was excellent.. did mystic ever see it? i dunno.. everyone that hasnt seen this movie that likes stuff other than hollywood tripe.. should check it out

__________________

"Nothing says OBEY ME like a severed head on a fence post,"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

yea this is a great movie.. no denyin' that

excellent editing.. of a twisted story .. great acting... and music.. and camerawork

__________________
NFO Jones stole my bike

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

quote:

---

Originally posted by napalmfuzz
i agree with your rating.. this movie was excellent.. did mystic ever see it?...

---

I did indeed sir. 9/10. The movie was amazing, but the beginning 20mins nearly put me to sleep as i was having trouble grasping the movie and nearly turned it off.

But the ending, OMG the ending! Hehehe. Great movie, go see it.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Fucking Awesome Move. 9/10 in my book. I have watched it many time and still laugh at the same jokes and get scared when i see that fucking evil bunny. great great great great movie. just amazing.

__________________
Alex licks it.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

*** Danger! Danger! Spoilers Ahead ***

The part that I find scary is when Donnie see's frank-the-bunny while he is at his psychiatrist. Even though I know its coming it always sneaks up.

For those who have seen the movie, and understand it, there is one thing that I don't understand. How does the tangent universe start? I've read things saying that when Frank's voice brings Donnie out of his bed, he is already in the tangent universe. I believe it has something to do with destiny, in the sense that he was supposed to die, and didnt, thereby creating the tangent universe. But why didn't he die? Anyone have a theory about this?

__________________
"Senator: Mr. Gates, when did you realize you were creating a monopoly?

Bill Gates: Monopoly is just a game senator, I'm trying to control the fucking world" - Robin Williams

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

I just watched this film there, on the strength of this review, and wow. That was an experience. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this film, the acting, direction, characters and most of all the subtle story. The microcosms were delicious as well

***Spoiler***

highdro - i believe that, in an attempt to play God, going back in time to make all wrong doings good, he had to pay the price-death.

Maybe I need to watch it some more to fully understand it


9/10

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

....


That's about all I can say about this movie.

10/10

__________________
One time, my cousin Walter got this cat stuck in his ass. True story. He bought it at our local mall so the whole fiasco wound up on the news, it was embarrassing for my relatives and all, but the next week he did it again, different cat, same results, complete with another trip to the emergency room! So I run into him a week later in the mall and he’s buying another cat and I says to ‘em "Jesus Walt, what are you doing? You know your just gonna get this cat stuck up your ass too, why don’t you knock it off?" And he says to me "Brodie, how the hell else am I supposed to get the gerbil out?" My cousin was a weird guy....

-

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

true that svenbob /me slaps low five, then high five...

__________________
Alex licks it.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Still hoping for a directors cut of this. The deleted scenes are gold and should never have been cut. Except for the last one.

__________________
"Senator: Mr. Gates, when did you realize you were creating a monopoly?

Bill Gates: Monopoly is just a game senator, I'm trying to control the fucking world" - Robin Williams

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

This flick... damn. I just got done watchin it.... The directorial art during that final scene where it pans from person to persons face... its just so fucking good.

__________________
One time, my cousin Walter got this cat stuck in his ass. True story. He bought it at our local mall so the whole fiasco wound up on the news, it was embarrassing for my relatives and all, but the next week he did it again, different cat, same results, complete with another trip to the emergency room! So I run into him a week later in the mall and he’s buying another cat and I says to ‘em "Jesus Walt, what are you doing? You know your just gonna get this cat stuck up your ass too, why don’t you knock it off?" And he says to me "Brodie, how the hell else am I supposed to get the gerbil out?" My cousin was a weird guy....

-

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

watched this last night..... i near creamed myself it was so good, the end was awesome with that mad world song, its such a great movie

10/10 no question... FUCK EBERT


and mystic did you catch the bttf reference?

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

yeah that movie is very good.. i would say 10/10 also... so many different ways to try to understand it.. i would love to see what the director would say about what they thought the meaning was out of the story and what not

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Just finished watching this like litterally 5 minute ago...movie was really good I was totally fucking lost at the end and was just like hmm...9/10 and now after reading Special Kays post it is starting to come together....I think XD 10/10 :P

__________________
Hay

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged