Sci Fi Day: (Part Two) Donnie Darko (2001) The Director's Cut

Some would say that Donnie Darko is like marmite, either you love it or you hate it. Well, I’ve just seen Donnie Darko for the first time which has secretly left me asking for more (which is more than I can say about marmite!) Unlike the sticky dark-brown paste, the film leaves you with a curious aftertaste and a relentless fascination that stays with you for a while.

Most of this fascination stems from the film’s ambiguity. Richard Kelly’s Sci Fi psychodrama poses many thought provoking questions where fate, destiny, time and the existence of God are all put under the spotlight. The film oozes so much depth that it is impossible to absorb it all from a first time viewing. It’s a film that’ll give you something new to think about each time you watch it.

Donald J. Darko, our spiritual superhero, is played by the very talented Jake Gyllenhaal who delivers a memorable performance as the troubled teenager who sets off to uncover the truth about time travelling after being told by a vision dressed in a menacing bunny suit that the world will come to an end in exactly 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds (which is weird considering the film was made in exactly 28 days- spooky!).

Gyllenhaal added a very dark, satirical element to his character which I thought worked really well for the film and its general idea. There were some very poignant and creepy moments which could also categorize the film as a horror/suspense thriller. The Film is about overcoming the fear of dying alone; it’s about a man who saves the world and most of all, its a meaningful love story unlike any other I’ve seen. A lot of things in the film are left unexplained- things we may never be able to explain. It questions life and the essence of our being. It makes us wonder about the bigger things in life which is what I think makes this film so amazing.

For Ian's take on Donnie Darko, click here.