His other companion may not be a true ally. Taking place during an election year in the late 1980s, this movie tells the story of a troubled teenager who receives disturbing visions from a tall bunny rabbit telling him the world will soon come to an end. Jake Gyllenhaal, a relative unknown, delivers a subtle yet emotionally charged performance as Donnie himself - the scene in which he tells his psychologist of his various childhood traumas is made both funny and moving by the haunting way in which Jake delivers each line, contrasted with the almost childish qualities of his movements on the couch. The tragedy is that the independent filmmakers are often those with the most talent; the most creativity; the most flair. Drew Barrymore is also superb as the liberal high school teacher rejected and scorned in a Conservative education system, while Patrick Swayze is excellent in his extended cameo, a smartly observed satire of a self-help guru with a few skeletons in the closet.
After surviving a freak accident, he is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes, after narrowly escaping a bizarre accident. And for all those wishing to know if there's any American Pie-style crudity, sadly not - although at one point we are treated to a rather interesting discussion regarding the sex lives of smurfs. After surviving a freak accident, he is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes, after narrowly escaping a bizarre accident. . Answers arent simply handed out, rather the viewer is left to draw many conclusions instead. Both the event, and Donnie's escape, seem to have been caused by supernatural events. Without giving too much away, I can safely say that Donnie Darko is a mind-blowing experience.
Regardless of anything, sincere thought and expression went in to the making of Donnie Darko. Of course the star is Jake Gyllenhaal. It manages to inspire hope, love, dread, laughter, and tears at different points throughout the movie without making you feel least bit like there is a contradiction between those states. Thumbing through the channels I stopped just as Donnie Darko was beginning. When an engine falls off a plane and destroys his bedroom, Donnie is not there. After the film ends, it's almost impossible to keep yourself from thinking of all the possible way to interpret such a film.
Yet despite these movies' shortcomings, they continue to enjoy success at the box office. The talent in this film is top notch and even Gyllenhall is just amazing. Donnie has a friend named Frank - a large bunny which only Donnie can see. In recent years, Hollywood has specialised in churning out mainstream trash; generic trash not even fit for the cutting room floor. On a scientific level it will fuel debates for years to come I have already read numerous different interpretations of the ending on the internet but emotionally it transcends the conventions of modern movie making.
Donnie's mental illness, if such it is, may never allow him to find out for sure. It's not quite surreal or full of quirky nonsense, it's more like a set of events, which seem to make sense on one level, no sense on another level, and finally perfect sense on another level. People will either love it, or despise it with all their heart. Without meaning to sound overtly soppy and without meaning to spoil the ending for anyone unfortunate enough not to have seen the movie, Donnie Darko concludes in one of the most mind bending, emotionally affecting ways possible. In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take Time's Arrow for a ride.
There is nothing that can be said to properly praise his performance. Donnie has a friend named Frank, a large bunny which only Donnie can see. Disclaimer: This site does not store any files on its server. All I can say here is that nothing can prepare you for or adequately describe Frank. Its the type that leaves you pondering the possibilities voiced by the characters.
Both the event, and Donnie's escape, seem to have been caused by supernatural events. He suffers from a psychological condition not dissimilar to schizophrenia, and lives most of his life in a medication-induced daze. Seeking answers, Donnie investigates time travel in an attempt to turn back the clock and prevent the world's seemingly impending doom, actions which pose bizarre and life-changing results. The scenes dripped with style, yet that style never seemed distracting. Where the movie comes into its own, however, is in its ability to incorporate and deal with a variety of genres. This is, in part, due to the impeccable performances by each and every member of the cast. Even the movie's portrayal of a high school, whilst unique and original, even bears a slight resemblance to the teen movies of yesteryear, what with school bullies, the new kid in town and an annoying gym teacher.
The story is very much thought provoking. This sparked curiosity and dread in Donnie, who also has every other aspect of a teenager's life to worry about. All of these things combine to create a stunning film. The few who understand what Donnie is going through go largely unnoticed such as his girlfriend Gretchen or a tragically overweight yet remarkable sensitive little girl or unappreciated such as Karen, the English teacher whose only sin is trying to show her students that there is no such thing as a true end. His character is amusing and interesting all at the same time. His quest for meaning and self-discovery drives him to the fringes of our reality, which only serves to isolate him more from the world he loves. He has a compassionate psychiatrist, who discovers hypnosis is the means to unlock hidden secrets.
One such filmmaker is director Richard Kelly, who saw the release of his scifi-drama-horror-tragedy-comedy-romance-thriller Donnie Darko last year. The film proceeds with the feel of a teen flick, the style of a horror, and a plot suited for a fantasy. Donnie is a seventeen year-old boy with major emotional problems. We watch as Donnie meets Frank, a six foot tall rabbit which predicts the end of the world. Donnie Darko may conjure up images of oversized bunnies and watery projections protruding from people's midriffs, yet on an emotional level it is very much human. Furthermore, the last few lines of the movie, without telling you what they are, are meaningful on so many levels, and mark the end to a film steeped in emotion, surrealism and subtle beauty. This twisted bunny also informs Donnie that the world will come to an end within the month.