I'd appreciate some reads & ratings, and will do my best to always return the favour [drop me a comm...
I'd appreciate some reads & ratings, and will do my best to always return the favour [drop me a comment so I know]. Cheers.
Member since:22.07.2008
Reviews:15
Members who trust:6
BASIC STORY
Donnie Darko is a smart fifteen-year old with a history of behaviourial and psychological problems. He's stopped taking his medication, and is sleepwalking and hallucinating on a regular basis. When following the instructions of a hallucination saves his life, Donnie has no choice but to believe the same hallucination's claim that the world is soon going to end…
There's a lot more to the film than just this, but I don't want to give too much away because that'd spoil it for you. The school that Donnie attends is religious and conservative, which plays quite a big part in the film because he struggles to break out of the moral constraints imposed upon its students that don't make sense to him.
FILM
The concept, acting and direction of this film are all great; there's plenty going on to hold your interest, particularly if you watch it regularly [it requires some effort to understand exactly what's happened - there are no right or wrong answers, don't worry]. A lot of the film is intriguing, while
some scenes are funny in a surreal way and others are very emotively affecting.
Cast includes: - JAKE GYLLENHAAL as Donnie It's a great role - you can't help but like and empathise with Donnie - but all the same Jake plays it very well.
- MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL as Elizabeth [Donnie's elder sister] She only has a small part, but it's fun to watch her and Donnie's interactions.
- DAVEIGH CHASE as Samantha [his younger sister] I find her a bit annoying - sickly sweet like a lot of child actors - but it might just be the script they gave her...she's not in it much anyway.
- HOLMES OSBORNE as Eddie Darko [Donnie's father] You get intrigued about his marriage, and like him for his sense of humour; no problem with his acting.
- MARY MCDONNELL as Rose Darko [Donnie's mother] She's less likeable when it's just the family, but comes off well when compared to Kitty Farmer; good performance as someone struggling to be a good mother but not quite making it.
- JENA MALONE as Gretchen She plays a similar role as her one in United States of Leland; is she always the 'weird' kid's love interest? No problem with her acting.
- DREW BARRYMORE as Karen Pomeroy Donnie's English teacher who wants to challenge the kids to think more; good performance as someone struggling against a restricted curriculum. She seems a little mean at times.
- BETH GRANT as Kitty Farmer A self-righteous, morally rigid teacher; used to point out some contradictions within Donnie's school. We're not supposed to like her, and it works.
- PATRICK SWAYZE as Jim Cunningham Kind of cool to see him play a different kind of character: a smarmy self-help guru adored by some of Donnie's teachers.
- JOLENE PURDY Girl in Donnie's class who gets picked on.
- KATHARINE ROSS as Dr Thurman Donnie's therapist; some interesting scenes with her in it.
- STUART STONE as Ronald Fisher One of Donnie's friends; a bit 2-D.
- GARY LUNDY as Sean Smith One of Donnie's friends; a bit 2-D.
- NOAH WYLE as Prof. Monnitoff A science teacher who helps Donnie - but only to a certain point.
- PATIENCE CLEVELAND as Roberta Sparrow - ALEX GREENWALD as Seth Devlin - JAMES DUVAL as Frank
DVD
I wouldn't normally bother to recommend a Director's Cut for a film, but with Donnie Darko it seems quite important, as there are some essentials parts missing from the regular DVD, which help with understanding of the film when you see them on this.
If you have a zoom button on your DVD control, it's worth zooming in on some of the diagrams and theories that come up on the screen, as they add intrigue and clues for those who view this as a film about time travel.
SOUNDTRACK
'Donnie Darko' takes place during the 1988 presidential election, and subsequently the soundtrack is composed of 80s artists, such as Tears For Fears, INX and Duran Duran; it also features the Gary Jules cover of 'Mad World'.
SPECIAL EFFECTS This film is more about the story than FX, but when they feature, they're pretty good; includes wormholes, hazy paths growing out of people's chests and a house being destroyed [to name just a few].
WHO IS IT SUITABLE FOR? Could be a family film - depending on who your family are. There's some swearing, a bit of violence and some adult themes. Maybe better to watch it with some open minded friends, or by yourself.
Enjoy.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1957 - Drama - Director: Leo McCarey - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Cathleen Nesbitt, Deborah Kerr, Cary Grant, Richard Denning, Neva Patterson, Fortunio Bonanova
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Donnie Darkois a thought-provoking, touching and distinctive offering from relative ... more
newcomer, Richard Kelly (II). It's 1988 in small-town America and Donnie, a disturbed teenager on medication and undergoing psychoanalysis for his blackouts and persona...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Donnie Darkois a thought-provoking, touching and distinctive offering from relative ... more
newcomer, Richard Kelly (II). It's 1988 in small-town America and Donnie, a disturbed teenager on medication and undergoing psychoanalysis for his blackouts and persona...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
October 1988 and small town USA is about to witness the end of the world. It's home to ... more
Donnie Darko a brilliant but troubled teenager plagued by terrifying visions of which he alone holds the key to the meaning. With his class mate and soul mate Gre...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
October 1988 and small town USA is about to witness the end of the world. Troubled, ... more
brilliant teenager Donnie Darko is plagued by terrifying visions and must unravel the strange occurrences infecting his school, his home and his life before a horrifyin...
Advantages: Vastly entertaining, well acted, beautifully scripted, superb storyline Disadvantages: The many different ways to look at the film can confuse you
Advantages: Vastly entertaining, well acted, beautifully scripted, superb storyline Disadvantages: The many different ways to look at the film can confuse you
![Donnie Darko - Director's Cut (Two Disc Set) [DVD] [2002]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78224395.jpg "Donnie Darko - Director's Cut (Two Disc Set) [DVD] [2002]")
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