Saturday, June 14, 2008

Donnie Darko Review

Hype:  Donnie Darko stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a teenage who sees a large bunny with a metallic face, that's about all I know about the plot of this film.  Other than that I know that it has a huge cult following and has gained in popularity throughout the past couple of years.  I am actually really looking forward to seeing this movie.  I hope it lives up to the expectations I have for it.

Initial Review:  For me it is really hard to fully explain what Donnie Darko is about.  Donnie is a teenage boy that sees a rabbit that causes him to do strange tasks.  Along the way he meets and falls for Gretchen Ross, played by Jena Malone.  Donnie's family is forced out of their house after a plane's engine drops into Donnie's room.  Donnie survives this crash because Frank, Donnie's imaginary friend in a man-sized rabbit costume had told Donnie to go for a walk.  While on this walk Frank tells Donnie that there are just over 28 days until the end of the world.

Frank's instructions don't stop after that night.  Frank tells Donnie to flood his high school, read a controversial book about time travel, and to burn down the house of a motivational speaker that Donnie constantly butts heads with.

Donnie Darko has an all-star cast that includes Drew Barrymore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle, and a young Seth Rogan.  I really enjoyed Patrick Swayze's character, the motivational speaker whose house Donnie burns down.  I was really impressed with Jake Gyllenhaal and the way he acted while sleep walking and while under hypnosis when he was at the psychiatrist.  I feel that Jake was a perfect fit for the role of Donnie, he just looks like a guy a regular teenage boy that pulls off the depressed look really well.

I found this movie to be very original and a joy to watch.  I never knew what was going to happen next and was pleased with all the surprises.  I really enjoyed all the characters and thought all the actors did a great job.  It was really fun seeing a young Seth Rogan, who plays a bully that picks on Gretchen.  I highly recommend this movie.  If you are looking for a movie that is original, slightly depressing, and overall just a joy to watch, Donnie Darko is the movie for you.

Repeat Viewings: N/A

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