Like another Millennial classic, Napoleon Dynamite, I just don't get the big deal, yet so many people seem to love this.
shareI agree about both. I never bought into the hype of either one. Not to say that they are bad movies. But I never found them to be as good as most people do.
share"Donnie Darko" was a very good movie IMHO. I didn't have emo orgasms over it. But it was entertainingly done with the mysterious monster rabbit and all. It did speak to cultural trends at the time. It was relevant.
shareIt has a very unique vibe/atmosphere, set up right from the beginning with "The Killing Moon". Replacing it with "Never Tear Us Apart" in the Director's Cut was a huge mistake.
shareIt is one of the most intelligent films I've ever seen. At least, the original version is. The re-release dumbed it down significantly. The original gives the absolute bare minimum amount of information to piece together what is an incredibly complex, elaborate, and deep story. It may not be for you, but if you watch it 3 or 4 times you start to see multiple narratives unfolding and interweaving, all coming together perfectly at the end. Few films I've ever seen, if any, manage to pull together such a strange storyline and make it all work. Usually they fall apart upon close inspection, or just kind of meander and end arbitrarily. Donnie Darko is magical realism at its finest.
shareDonnie Darko appeals to people because they saw it when they were around Donnie's age and felt cool for being dark and edgy like him. The first time I watched this movie I actually hated it because I found the main character and story pretentious. Having watched it again as an adult I was able to appreciate the horror of dealing with a mental illness. A very similar movie you could try that is along the same lines, but better executed is Horse Girl.
Donnie Darko has great tone and aesthetic, but I don't think most people like it for anything rather than thinking they're cool for doing so.
That's lame. I and most people who watch movies don't think like that. I wanna be cool! Most of us watch the movie and form an opinion without much thought to our image. Lol.
shareYou two should check out my recent post copied here and linked below. I should have just made my own thread perhaps.
"To be fair, the world really wasn't in balance, and I like Never Tear Us Apart song by INXS better. The Director's Cut contains nothing offensive, just more scenes to help express the narrative. It's clear from many of the futuristic abstract, or even animated, shots during the pivotal moments of the film (either version) that the whole universe is caught in a sort of paradoxical loop or glitch centered on this one town where a plane engine falls from the future. The humans are then repeatedly herded like sheep to compel Donnie (the sole individual most affected) to use gifted powers to restore the balance—essentially, to give a reason for the plane engine to fall. This fits in line with his own knowledge of himself as a hero or savior, and the legacy he wants to leave upon his sacrifice.
The one thing most people often miss about Donnie Darko is that the protagonist in the film, Donnie, is not a narrator. He knows more than we as the audience know, and it's a mystery story for us to work out the details of events. Of course, there are others who just bask in the surreal, and that's great too. To be analytical, though, Donnie communicates with "Frank" more than we're shown or privy to and he's been given info which he just hints at being "the end of the world." He knows that something special is needed from him from Deus Ex Machina. He knows that he, his friends and family, are basically like lower-beings, like the rabbits in Watership Down. If he's the key to restore balance, it's probably not gonna be good for him. I mean the plane engine fell in his room after all. So yeah, he dies in the end and eliminates the glitch. Then, we hear Mad World by Tears For Fears with a corrected universe moving forward. Nice song choice here too. Gretchen Ross, Donnie's girlfriend whose life he saved, doesn't even remember him. Very chill ending. Solid flick. Two great Tears for Fears tracks, as it uses Head Over Heels too, to introduce many of the characters."
https://moviechat.org/tt0246578/Donnie-Darko/58c768a36b51e905f6861b84/Directors-cut-v-original?reply=657020d113ede1507ec2a887
Is there a thematic reference here to Watership Down perhaps? Is the character Frank influenced by Watership Down?
shareI haven’t actually read it, but the discussion in AP English Lit class in the film tells us that a learned Donnie with extra-dimensional knowledge now views humans as lower beings akin to the rabbits who are just cute and horny and have no idea why they are even alive. Gretchen pulls him back slightly with her take on the rabbits as products of the author’s imagination with anthropomorphic characteristics. You see, all these exchanges, including “Cellar Door” are manipulating Donnie’s psyche so he can value the world more than himself, and be the hero… make the sacrifice. That’s my take.
shareThe rabbits in Watership Down are evil and malicious. They're not cute bunnies. That's why I ask.
shareMental illness! lmao
This is science-fiction, bro. His pills were placebos.
Donnie was being communicated to by higher-tier beings. AI. Aliens from the future. God. Whatever you want to call it.
Yeah most people with schizophrenia think that as well
shareYes, but Richard Kelly while writing the script, and storyboarding the film, made conscious incontrovertible choices. It includes a questioning of Donnie’s sanity early on, but eventually ruling it out and even using the shrink character to do it.
Frank was real. How do you explain the plane engine? Mass hallucination? lmao
Traumatic events trigger and exacerbate mental illness.
It's been a few years since I've last seen it, but wasn't he masturbating in front of the psychiatrist? Seems like totally sane behavior to me lol
I've been assuming you're a man, but that's not the case is it? I watched it again tonight on Prime. Upon more careful reflection on the two versions (theatrical v. director's cut) and considering some of Richard Kelly's or the various producer's choices, I think I've come to realize that it's a typical woman's job to see a mental health movie, while another targeted demographic sees science fiction flick. I think I only want to discuss the science fiction aspects, though, so perhaps I should move on from the discussion. I don't want to diminish whatever enjoyment you may have received from it as being about a schizophrenic.
I will say this, though. When Donnie's visions appear, the director Kelly, made a conscious choice to show that the phenomenon exists on the associated characters, even while they are out of Donnie's sight. I'm thinking primarily of the water-spear chest thing which designates pre-destination, i.e. "the character will get up and go to the kitchen refrigerator," etc. Donnie doesn't just see it... we do. The audience. And mise en scene is not constructed at random in million dollar films. All the characters acknowledge the plane engine disaster from outside of Donnie's frame of reference, including some after his death at the conclusion. We're meant to be teased that he's crazy, and his friends and family think it, but the movie is about higher beings, divine intervention, fate, time travel, sacrifice and perhaps the salvation of the multiverse to some extent. If you were of college age in 2001 (or I imagine even 1988 when it takes place), these were all hot discussion topics, they permeated our culture. Folks were pondering works like Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, making advanced concepts more accessible to the layperson. The science fiction aspects are particularly clear with the extra Director's Cut scenes, and the change of tone and lyrics w/ Never Tear Us Apart song by INXS in the opening sequence.
That's my take, and it makes for a philosophically very rich film. Totally rewatchable.
Complex and Thought-Provoking Story: The film's narrative is intricate and layered, with elements of science fiction, time travel, and psychological thriller. It challenges the audience's perceptions and encourages them to think deeply about the plot and its symbolism.
Unique and Unconventional: "Donnie Darko" stands out for its originality and refusal to conform to typical Hollywood conventions. It explores philosophical themes and raises questions about destiny, mental illness, and the nature of reality.
Strong Performances: Jake Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Donnie Darko is widely praised for its depth and emotional range. The film's cast, including Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, and Patrick Swayze, deliver compelling performances that add to the overall appeal.
Soundtrack: The movie features a memorable and evocative soundtrack that enhances the mood and atmosphere. The music, including tracks by artists like Tears for Fears and Gary Jules, resonates with the film's themes and emotions.
Mystery and Interpretation: "Donnie Darko" leaves many aspects open to interpretation, encouraging viewers to discuss and debate the film's meaning and symbolism. This ambiguity creates a sense of intrigue and fascination that keeps audiences engaged even after the credits roll.
Cult Following: Over time, "Donnie Darko" has gathered a dedicated fanbase, leading to numerous discussions, theories, and fan art. The film's cult status has contributed to its enduring popularity.
Themes of Alienation and Adolescence: The movie delves into themes of alienation, existential crisis, and the challenges of adolescence. These resonate with many viewers who can relate to the struggles and confusion experienced during their teenage years.
Emotional Impact: The film's emotional depth and impactful moments leave a lasting impression on viewers, making it a memorable and moving experience.
I loved it when I saw it on DVD in 2002. I just re-watched it for the first time since then on 4K and it definitely wasn't as good as I remembered. Not bad... but not ~that~ good.
shareIf for no other reason, it's a break from the cookie cutter films that roll out on the Hollywood assembly line.
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