Donnie Darko

UK Release: 25th October 2002

Watched on DVD: Friday 21st January

Rating: 15

Runtime: 1hr 50 mins

Tagline: Dark. Darker. Darko.

IMDb Plot Summary: Donnie Darko doesn't get along too well with his family, his teachers and his classmates; but he does manage to find a sympathetic friend in Gretchen, who agrees to date him. He has a compassionate psychiatrist, who discovers hypnosis is the means to unlock hidden secrets. His other companion may not be a true ally. Donnie has a friend named Frank - a large bunny which only Donnie can see. When an engine falls off a plane and destroys his bedroom, Donnie is not there. Both the event, and Donnie's escape, seem to have been caused by supernatural events. Donnie's mental illness, if such it is, may never allow him to find out for sure. 

A Quick Review: Donnie Darko is brilliant. 
I approached this film knowing very little about it, which I feel is mostly the best way to see films. What I discovered was a hypnotic beauty, whose twists and turns got cleverer and darker by the second. 

Jake Gyllenhaal was perfect, merging young innocence with a startling evil side. I liked the touch of having the actors real-life sister play his on-screen sister. The chemistry between them was great, banter bouncing across the dinner table, leaving the rest of the family behind.I liked the sweet relationship between Donnie and Gretchen, played with realistically. 

Also, being a fan of 80’s music, I loved the inclusion of so many dark, twirling tunes flowing effortlessly between scenes. 

Overall, this film is simply delicious and I would anyone with any interest in film to watch Donnie Darko. And that ending will stay with you for a long while afterwards. 

Score: 9/10