Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko is definitely not an ordinary movie about a completely ordinary teenager who has no delusions whatsoever about some oversized rabbit. It has an incredibly engaging atmosphere and tries to draw the viewer into the plot, only letting go near the end where the shocking (at least to me) reveal occurs. The actors are great and convincing – especially young Jake Gyllenhaal and Drew Barrymore. The screenplay is indeed a convoluted and bizarre example of a dramatic mystery, and even though I certainly didn't understand everything that should have been understood, I stand by the fact that this is an original premise full of twists and turns, especially in space-time. And the last few minutes, when we see edited shots of the film's heroes while "Mad World" is playing was a powerful albeit very confusing experience for me. In short, a film that doesn't need to be fully understood, because there is still plenty to think about for a long time. (28/07/2011)

Well, by the ending I was sitting there like something poached. All it takes is one wave and you kind of freeze up – I mean, I did. I had kind of counted on how Donnie turned out, well not exactly, but I knew he would sacrifice something dear to him. Definitely an interesting film worth seeing, and I think, though I haven't seen it unfortunately, the director's cut would have been the better choice. Otherwise, I have nothing else to add. Any more words Donnie Darko has taken from me. (27/07/2009)

An unorthodox story about a high school “geek" is an impressive movie adorned with excellent acting, a well-written and original screenplay and a completely absorbing dense atmosphere. Despite all of this I can’t shake the feeling that from the whole movie somehow protrudes the fact that it could be a tiny bit better than it finally is. I would be very interested in seeing the twenty minutes longer Director’s Cut. If that’s good, I would definitely raise the score to five *. (14/03/2005)

Interesting film. Above all, Donnie Darko has a fascinating atmosphere and I don’t even mind that I didn’t quite get everything. I actually doubt it has only one right explanation, I think it’s one of those films that has to be experienced emotionally rather than understood rationally. For the time being, an uncertain 4 stars (I don’t know whether strong or weak), but I might change my opinion when I find time to rewatch it. (11/09/2008)

Hypnotic, captivating, and unclassifiable in genre. It contains sharp satire, elusive sci-fi, and playful originality, yet I cannot convey Donnie to an unfamiliar viewer. It completely deviates from the norm in scenes with the rabbit, excellently builds up the ending, and above all, shows for the first time that Jake Gyllenhaal truly has talent. An unforgettable, although far from flawless experience. (25/01/2006)