This Movie is Rated R – For Language, Some Drug Use and Violence

 This movie would fall under the category of cult classic; it’s quirky, strange and a little bit confusing (especially on the first viewing). However, I loved it the first time I saw it. The first week I owned it I think I watched it four different times. If you find you are still unsure about something, be sure to check out the special features and the commentary with Richard Kelly (the writer/director) and Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko), they should answer any questions you might have. Plus the commentary is fun to listen to anyway.

Keep in mind that there are two versions of this movie out there. The original one and the director’s cut. I’m writing about the original. I have never seen the director’s cut, but from my understanding in addition to things being added to the movie, some of the music has been changed. Don’t know if that is good or bad; but be forewarned.

Donnie is a troubled teen. He is currently in therapy and on meds. Things start getting even more interesting for him after a jet engine falls into his bedroom one night. Fortunately, he was woken up by a voice that led him outside before it happened. So instead of being smooshed under the engine, he woke up on the golf course.

A rabbit named Frank (human sized, slightly creepy looking) begins visiting Donnie and things start getting even weirder. Frank starts telling him to do certain things, which he does. He also tells him when the world is going to end and asks him if he believes in time travel. Why is it that strange beings (that only you can see) are always so cryptic? Donnie becomes even more confused and starts searching for answers by talking to his science teacher. Thus begins his journey.

This is so Jake’s kind of movie. He is fabulous at this type of part; quirky, sweet and kind of vulnerable (but with dark undertones). His sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, plays his older sister in the movie. There is some wonderful brother and sister banter between them. I especially love the dinner scene towards the beginning of the movie; it is so funny (and kind of true to life according to Jake).

They picked great music for the movie it fit beautifully. Such as:

“The Killing Moon” – Echo and the Bunnymen

“Head Over Heels” – Tears For Fears

“Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division

“Under the Milky Way” – The Church

“Mad World” – Gary Jules

Gary’s cover of Tears For Fears “Mad World” was particularly awesome. It was incredibly haunting and fit the scene perfectly.

Some of my favorite scenes (without being too spoilery):

When they are doing the “Life Line” exercises in gym class and Donnie thinks the whole program is stupid and makes no sense. Loved this scene, what kid hasn’t wanted to stand up to their teacher like that at times. Of, course the part in the principal’s office afterward is priceless (see quote below). Especially, when his dad had a hard time keeping himself from laughing.

Donnie’s rant to his friends about the Smurfs is wonderful. Jake is just phenomenal in this scene. The whole Smurfs being asexual and not having dicks bit is just hysterical. Can you imagine having to call up the company in the Netherlands that owns the Smurfs, in order to get their approval to use them in your movie, and having to explain this scene (which is what Drew Barrymore had to do), too funny.

Some of my favorite quotes:

Frank – “28 days … 6 hours … 42 minutes … 12 seconds. That is when the world will end.”

Donnie – “I made a new friend.”

Dr. Thurman – “Real or imaginary?”

Donnie – “Imaginary.”

Gretchen – “Donnie Darko? What the hell kind of name is that? It’s like some sort of superhero or something.”

Donnie – “What makes you think I’m not?”

Frank – “I can do anything I want. And so can you.”

Mrs. Darko – “Kitty, do you even know who Graham Greene is?”

Kitty – “I think we have all seen Bonanza.”

Principal – “What exactly did you say to Mrs. Farmer?”

Mrs. Farmer – “I’ll tell you what he said. He asked me to forcibly insert the Life Line exercise card into my anus!”

Donnie – “Grandma Death wrote a book.”

Donnie – “You’re right, actually, I am pretty … I’m pretty troubled and I’m pretty confused, but I … and I’m afraid, really, really afraid. Really afraid. But I … I think you’re the f*cking Antichrist.”

Donnie – “Why do you wear that stupid bunny suit?”

Frank – “Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?”

Gretchen – “I think some people are just born with tragedy in their lives.”

Note: there is also a very detailed website that was made for the movie. It’s quite involved, but also interesting. http://www.donniedarkofilm.com/

By the way, Seth Devlin, the bully that picks on Donnie all the time is played by Alex Greenwald. He is the singer for the band “Phantom Planet“. It’s a great band, my favorite song of theirs is called “In Our Darkest Hour”; I can just play over and over again.

Ok, time for a rant. I can’t believe they just released a sequel to his movie. First off, the story is complete; there is no need for anything further. Secondly, Richard Kelly (the writer/director of Donnie Darko) isn’t even involved in it. This is purely a case of someone trying to use somebody else’s work to make money. I think that sucks … end of rant.

Jan

P.S. Comments are welcomed. Scroll towards the bottom of the page (below the spoiler section) to where it says “Click Here to Make a Comment”. Or on entries from previous days there is a comment box.

Following is additional information about the movie that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.

Patrick Swayze made a terrific hokey self-help guru. Then to find out that his character was running a child porn ring on the side was wonderfully disturbing. Which was only discovered because Frank told Donnie to burn down Jim Cunningham’s house. The way they did the scene of the “kiddie porn dungeon” being discovered while the talent show was going on, with Duran Duran’s “Notorious” playing, was just perfect.

The ending is both wonderful and tragic. Donnie figures out what he needs to do to save Gretchen. However, it also means undoing some of the good things that he did, such as, uncovering the whole Jim Cunningham thing. He ends up being a hero (even though no one knows it), but he also ends up dying, which is so sad. Also, I have to mention the montage while “Mad World” is playing is amazing.

Tags: alex greenwald, dvd, frank the bunny, gary jules, jake gyllenhaal, mad world, maggie gyllenhaal, movie, phantom planet, review

This entry was posted on Friday, May 22nd, 2009 at 12:01 AM and is filed under Movie Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.