Donnie Darko...a very strange movie (1 Viewer)

[Bryant Trew]

This was the most riveting and captivating movie that made no dang sense at all. I replayed some of the movie with the commentary, and the director was explaining things to my response, "how they hell was I supposed to get that?"

Great direction, as far as drawing you in and increasing desire to know what's going on... but absolute rubbish story telling.

 

[Dwayne]

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***

This film simply rocks.

Richard Kelly is a force to be watched. I eagerly await his next project. It's still tragic that this film did not get enough press during it's release.

As far as explaining the story, I just don't know yet. I watched the film twice today, both times without any commentary. For me, part of the enjoyment of watching a film like this is coming up with your own rational for what happened on screen. My girlfriend, on the other hand, likes film plots to be wrapped up and fully comprehensible. Case in point, she hated Muholland Drive. Although, I think I'm ready to hear Kelly's commentary.

The songs in the film are great, but the score by Michael Andrews complements the film so well. And just the sheer intensity and power of the image of "Frank". It's just an incredible visual. And there are alot of scenes that are just brutally honest, as with the girl who gets tormented on a daily basis. Also, the portrayal of the Darkos gives a vivid and very believable portrait of an upper-middle class family that has it's own internal problems yet despite all that, you still sense the caring they have for one another. What truly wonderful performances. The whole f***ing cast did exceptionally well. What a hauntingly beautiful film.

I have no doubt that this film will develop a cult following amongst film lovers all over.

I do have a question about the soundtrack:

What song is playing while Donnie and Frank are speaking in the movie theater? It sounds like it's part of an opera. Is it a different version of Ave Maria? It also plays during the first half of the end credits. Whatever it is, it appeals to me very much.

 

[Raul_H]

I made a post in the HTF software forum but I guess it didn't go over too well considering there is already a discussion on Donnie Darko going here.

Well here is my thoughts on the film (Mucho spoilers of course)...

Ok so I sat and watched Donnie Darko on DVD then I sat and watched it again with the Directors commentary and then I sat and watch all the supplemental material with an especial interest in the deleted scenes.

Then I spent the remainder of the day sorting out my thoughts on this movie to figure out what I had just seen. So here goes...

Observation #1

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Ok when Donnie and the Science teacher are discussing time travel Donnie tries to explain to the teacher that if we travelled into the future we would see that we all follow a set time line because we have these beings (Those Abyss like creatures flowing from their chests) unknown to us manipulating our actions to follow this set time line.

The teacher explains to Donnie that he is contradicting himself because if we could travel forward in time and see our future laid out before us we could then travel back and purposely not follow what we had seen. That is create our own path. Freewill.

Donnie then tries to explain that it would not matter because these beings would still manipulate us to eventually get us back on track. That there is a higher being/entity that would not allow it no matter what.

The Science Teacher then ends the conversation from fear that he is crossing into dangerous ground (ie; Religion) and would lose his job.

Observation #2

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When Donnie sleepwalks out of his bedroom prior to the Jet Engine crashing into his room an alternate path/reality is created that was not meant to be. That is Donnie was supposed to have died but he didn't. (Maybe his guide fell asleep on the job? Or as the saying goes "Shit Happens?)

Dead Frank then shows up to set things back on track. (Here I am guessing Dead Frank is one of the higher being's right hand men in making sure that this kind of thing is fixed).

So Dead Frank then sets out on manipulating Donnie into setting up the chain of events that lead to the Jet Engine crashing into his bedroom and at the same time showing Donnie the terrible events that will take place if he does not die. Namely Gretchen getting run over which leads Donnie to shooting Frank in the eye.

So when Donnie is laying in his bed the second time and awakens from the his dream/alternate reality he just lays in bed smiling because he is content in knowing that his death is required to set things right. Which explains why Dead Frank tells Donnie that the world will end in 28 or so days. That is the world that Donnie created when he slept walked out of his room and didn't die. That alternate world/reality that was not meant to be will cease to exist with his death.

I attempted to sort this part out by thinking of a scenario similiar to this idea presented in Donnie Darko. Let us say that someone was given a time machine to travel back in time. Now let's say that this person chose to use this time machine to go back in time and assassinate Adolf Hitler as a youth. Now if the Time Traveler suceeds then our world would cease to exist. That is if Adolf Hitler was killed and had not been able to do his thing then an entirely new timeline would begin at that moment due to his death.

Observation #3

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As far as the rest of the cast of characters in the story they seem to just be pawns that are manipulated by Donnie into setting off the chain of events for the Jet Engine crash.

Yet they are all affected by Donnies death at the end. They all awaken from the reality that has been destroyed by Donnies death as if it were some really bad dream. Perhaps it all seemed so real to them because the moment they all awakened, that was the intersecting point where they were veered back onto their destined path.

Such as Patrick Swayzes character crying because from his perspective all he saw was that in his nightmare/alternate reality his house burned down and he was found to be involved in child pornography. Or Donnies therapist waking up from her nightmare highly disturbed that she would have such a horrible and highly detailed dream about one of her patients.

The DVD futher explores this point when in one of the deleted scenes Donnie and Gretchen are in an Arcade playing video games and Donnie explains to her that his dreams are like having an extremely vivid dream, then waking up and remembering everything about that dream but the moment after awakening the dream immediately begins to fade so that the next day or even moments later you may remember bits and pieces of the dream but about what you are never quite sure.

That is why the next day when Gretchen rides by the Darko house and sees the accident she somehow feels something when she akwardly waves to Donnies mother. Something was there but it's all begun to fade away like a dream.

Last few Observations

=====================

When Donnie sleepwalks out of his bedroom and does not die is it not because Dead Frank was calling him? I've read opinions that if Dead Frank would not have called him the Jet Engine would have killed him.

But it was because Dead Frank called him and then manipulated him that Donnie set all the events off so that the Jet Engine crashed into his bedroom.

Perhaps Donnie was supposed to die another way in his sleep but didn't so one of the higher beings right hand men had to go back in time and setup up this whole Dead Frank/Jet Engine scenario to set things back on course.

It all seems quite Rube Goldberg-ian for sure. I am still not quite sure how to figure this one out for myself. It certainly is confusing when dealing with stories on time travel.

One deleted sequence I wish they would have left into the film was the watership down scene. It certainly sheds a bit of light on the whole Dues Ex Machina idea and in another deleted sequence at the end there is a small clip where Donnie walks into his kitchen and and sees how happy his family is when he is not around.

I hear alot of people complaining about the cover art for the DVD and I agree it sucks. But the insert provided is the original poster art and slides nicely into the front of the DVD making for a very nice front cover.

Well these are my thoughts on the film. Maybe I am way off and someone can help fill in the blanks. Donnie Darko though is a great film and it's pretty rare when a film possesses me so.

 

[Dwayne]

Raul,

That pretty much sums up where my thought processes were heading with this film. Like you, I'm stuck on why dead Frank would call Donnie out of his sleep to begin with. Another small observation is that how often does Donnie sleep in his bed, if he does so at all? What I mean is that would Donnie have gotten out of bed without dead Frank calling him? It seems that his sleep walking has been a problem for quite some time. Another thing I noticed is that dead Frank seems to apologize to Donnie for a brief second when they are in the movie theater (He whispers, "I'm sorry."). I guess for accidentally running over Gretchen?

After viewing the deleted scenes, I appreciate how Kelly decided not to beat the audience over the head with the plot's religious implications, although they are of significant importantance to the overall plot.

 

[Tony Mirra]

I won't add anything to the plot discussion, as I think it's been covered quite well already, but I just wanted to say that I thought this was one of the better films from last year. It's a shame more people didn't get to see it when it was in theaters.
I look forward to more from Richard Kelly.
And who knew that Drew Barrymore and Patrick Swayze could be good in understated roles?
Also, anyone know why the IFC Anatomy of a Scene special isn't on the DVD? I thought it was supposed to be.

 

[EricW]

i think the commentaries state that Frank did not lure Donnie out of bed to create the tangent universe; the universe was created at the stroke of midnight (when the portal first opens). The engine is destined to land in the tangent universe. Donnie is 'chosen' and sent by God (or a higher power) to bring the artifact (jet engine) back to the right universe. Frank was only there to help. perhaps if he had not 'lured' Donnie out of bed, Donnie might have been killed and the universe would have ended in 28 days for sure. everybody else in that new tangent universe is also being guided to help Donnie complete his task. also, i'm not even sure Donnie had to die atr the end... i mean by the rules. didn't the director say that at the end of the movie, Donnie had done his job by creating the portal and redirecting the artifact? at that point, his job was done... i think him lying in bed, waiting for the engine to hit him, was his choice.

 

[Jeff Rogers]

I hear alot of people complaining about the cover art for the DVD and I agree it sucks. But the insert provided is the original poster art and slides nicely into the front of the DVD making for a very nice front cover

I thought I was the only one who did that

 

[JohnRice]

I watched this film three times in just over 24 hours. I was floored. I haven't listened to the commentary, so if anything I say is contradicted there, please let me know.

Raul,

your analysis sounds perfectly valid. I just have a couple things to add. Do we actually know that Frank lured Donnie out of his bad at the beginning of the film? I tend to think we are misled to assume he did, but there is actually nothing to support that. A nice trick to mislead the audience. It also makes sense that Frank would "materialize" to lead Donnie back to the correct time line. He died in the alternate one. It seems to me either he or Gretchen would be one to lead him back, and Gratchen wouldn't have been as good a choice, story wise.

I enjoyed the reactions of the characters at the moment of Donnie's death. I had the exact same impression. There was still a shadow of a memory of the anternate time line.

Has anyone gotten any insight into the short shot of Drew Barrymore and Noah Wyle sitting in the teacher's lounge. Drew says "Donnie Darko?" and they both kind of laugh and shake their heads. Maybe he had just told her about the time travel conversation and they were chuckling about it.

I'm still a little unclear about the jet engine. It sure seems it came off the jet Donnie's mother was on 28 days in the future. So do you think that engine will still fall off at that time, or since that time line has been destroyed, that now the engine just materialized in order to correct some previous time line error, like has already been mentioned?

How does everyone feel the LOVE---FEAR theme fits in? I have thought about the whole aspect of "things aren't that simple" like Donnie says. I have to admit, I am a bit blinded by this the whole idea because I have gone through some very painful experiences recently regarding how this very concept can be incredibly destructive if taken out of proportion. I was floored when I saw this topic being approached. The scene with Kitty and Donnie's mom after the meeting with the Principal both made me laugh and gave me chills. I'm just interested in how others interpret this theme.

Finally, I think getting too wrapped up in the logistics of the film with all the time line stuff tends to miss the core point. Deciding what that means to each of us is the difficult part.

 

[Dwayne]

Some very interesting comments, John.

I'm still a little unclear about the jet engine. It sure seems it came off the jet Donnie's mother was on 28 days in the future. So do you think that engine will still fall off at that time, or since that time line has been destroyed, that now the engine just materialized in order to correct some previous time line error, like has already been mentioned?

Not sure. I think the plane in the other world caused the portal to appear. If that's the case, then the timeline may have been destroyed in the other world thus preventing the plane from causing the portal to begin with. The portal not only bridges two times, but two worlds at different times. OK, I'm now convinced that I smoke crack.

 

[JohnRice]

Nobody has brought up the similarities between the story, The Destructors, and some of the things Donnie does. Though, actually, that could fit into the observation that the other characters are just pawns to get the time line back.

I need to see if I have that story somewhere.

 

[JohnRice]

OK,
I have a couple more things I would like to hear feedback on.
I'm guessing others noticed the Horror Double Feature of Evil Dead and The Last Temptation of
Christ!
Also, notice at the beginning of the film, Donnie seems at least somewhat happy. He smiles a bit after waking up and looking around. Is he happy because he has cheated death? Notice he is VERY happy at the end of the film when he knows he is about to die. Is this some sort if anti It's a Wonderful Life? I'm just trying to dig past the logistics.
DAMN! This is a fascinating film!

 

[Raul_H]

Finally, I think getting too wrapped up in the logistics of the film with all the time line stuff tends to miss the core point. Deciding what that means to each of us is the difficult part.

This I agree on whole heartedly. I don't think it is possible to ever find any definitive answers to fully explain this film. Not that anyone should stop sharing their thoughts on the film mind you, because it has certainly been fun reading everyones personal opinions on Donnie Darko.

While I thank everyone here for taking the time to share their own thoughts on the film and agreeing/disagreeing with my own I believe that everyone will find their own unique answers due to the overall vagueness of the film itself.

Now I know this type of film is not everyones cup of tea but I am always fascinated by these types of films (What that "type" is I am still not quite sure, LoL). The only other film that comes to mind that made me feel/think the way Donnie Darko has would have to be Mamoru Oshii's Avalon.

Well I gave it my best shot, LoL. I am sure others will disagree with my analysis of the film but as they say "c'est la vie".

 

[Bryant Trew]

Good grief people, you're acting like this film was some special gift from the Gods... Riveting? Yes. Good storytelling? Not if you have to watch the commentaries two and three times and still not get the film.

 

[JohnRice]

Good grief people, you're acting like this film was some special gift from the Gods... Riveting? Yes. Good storytelling? Not if you have to watch the commentaries two and three times and still not get the film.

NO KIDDING, BRYANT. This thread should be shut immediately and we should all spend our time in a truly thought-provoking one like "Okay - which will get the biggest box office - HP, LOTR or Monsters Inc? " I mean, that one has over 30,000 hits and over 1,400 responses. It MUST be an intriguing topic. Of course, we could join the almost 50,000 hits about a movie that doesn't even come out for two months. :rolleyes
What do you think you accomplish by pissing in the pool?

 

[Michael Napier]

I just watched this movie and I am still reeling.

Did anyone else notice at the beginning of chapter 22, right after Donnie's sister tells him she got into Harvard, the rabbit head on the counter? What's that all about?

 

[Travis D]

I'm glad I read this thread.
The first time I saw the film, I did not get it at all. Does that mean I thought it was bad?
HELL NO!
It was easily the most thought-provoking film outside of Memento I saw last year and I thought it was the best directorial debut since Shamaylan's The Sixth Sense. And reading this thread just proves that even more. So many theories and well structured answers to wade through.

 

[JohnRice]

Absolutely, Travis!

I actually find it more discussion worthy than Memento. I think there are deeper philosophical issues at play. All of a sudden because a film is complex and not obvious, it's poorly done? Incredible! Some Universities offer entire programs on analyzing Tolstoy. I guess that means he was an incompetent author.

 

[Dwayne]

Good grief people, you're acting like this film was some special gift from the Gods... Riveting? Yes. Good storytelling? Not if you have to watch the commentaries two and three times and still not get the film.

My friend Joe said exactly the same thing.

 

[Todd Terwilliger]

I just finished watching for the first time and I really enjoyed it. It's been very interesting to read everyone's ideas. I need to process the film in my mind some more before I weigh in.

 

[Bryant Trew]

NO KIDDING, BRYANT. This thread should be shut immediately and we should all spend our time in a truly thought-provoking one like "Okay - which will get the biggest box office - HP, LOTR or Monsters Inc? " I mean, that one has over 30,000 hits and over 1,400 responses. It MUST be an intriguing topic. Of course, we could join the almost 50,000 hits about a movie that doesn't even come out for two months.

John, I never said or implied to shut the thread down. I came here to discuss it after all didn't I? All I'm saying is that you and others are acting like you found the lost holy grail, when IMO it could be nothing more than an empty Coke can falling from an Airplane. Sounds familiar? Here's another theory. The director was making reference to The God's Must Be Crazy. Or how about, Donnie was actually Christ and Swayze really was the Anti-Christ? Or maybe the old lady was supposed to have died instead of his girlfriend? You could go on and on. Personally, I prefer the writer/director to be able to explain what I missed in the film, but he doesn't.
Deep and complicated is a film like Pi. It requires intellectual muscle to understand it. The responses to this film all over the WWW, and listening to the commentary show that the film is nothing more than a highly entertaining car wreck. This film did not require intellectual muscle.
Of course the other option was that he just wanted to make something entertaining. You know, like the blockbusters you mention :rolleyes