DVD Movie Rating for: Donnie Darko

2 Out of 5

Movie Plot of: Donnie Darko

During the presidential election of 1988, a teenager named Donnie Darko sleepwalks out of his house one night, and sees a giant, demonic-looking rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. He returns home the next morning to find that a jet engine has crashed through his bedroom. As he tries to figure out why he survived and tries to deal with people in his town, like the school bully, his conservative health teacher, and a self-help guru, Frank continues to turn up in Donnie's mind, causing him to commit acts of vandalism and worse.

DVD Production Details of: Donnie Darko

Cast of the movie: Donnie Darko

• Jake Gyllenhaal .... Donnie Darko
• Holmes Osborne .... Eddie Darko
• Maggie Gyllenhaal .... Elizabeth Darko
• Daveigh Chase .... Samantha Darko
• Mary McDonnell .... Mrs. Rose Darko
• James Duval .... Frank
• Arthur Taxier .... Dr. Fisher
• Patrick Swayze .... Jim Cunningham
• Mark Hoffman .... Police Officer
• David St. James .... Bob Garland
• Tom Tangen .... Man in Red Jogging Suit
• Jazzie Mahannah .... Joanie James
• Jolene Purdy .... Cherita Chen
• Stuart Stone .... Ronald Fisher
• Gary Lundy .... Sean Smith

Photo Gallery of the movie: Donnie Darko

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Reviews of the movie: Donnie Darko

This unclassifiable but stunningly original film obliterates the walls between teen comedy, science fiction, family drama, horror, and cultural satire--and remains wildly entertaining throughout. Jake Gyllenhaal (October Sky) stars as Donnie, a borderline-schizophrenic adolescent for whom there is no difference between the signs and wonders of reality (a plane crash that decimates his house) and hallucination (a man-sized, reptilian rabbit who talks to him). Obsessed with the science of time travel and acutely aware of the world around him, Donnie is isolated by his powers of analysis and the apocalyptic visions that no one else seems to share. The debut feature of writer-director Richard Kelly, Donnie Darko is a shattering, hypnotic work that sets its own terms and gambles--rightfully so, as it turns out--that a viewer will stay aboard for the full ride

Very interesting debut from writer/director Richard Kelly. Watch this guy!
I'd heard a lot about 'Donnie Darko' for a long time before I got to see it (it has only just been given a belated cinema release here in Australia for some reason that's difficult to fathom), and it seemed like something I'd flip out over. However I can't say it quite lived up to the hype, and I expected a bit more than it delivered. Even with a few qualms it's still an extremely interesting debut from writer/director Richard Kelly, a guy I now have a lot of confidence in. I hope he manages to live up to the potential 'Donnie Darko' exhibits. Jake Gyllenhaal, previously unknown to me, is excellent in the title role, and heads up a largely obscure cast who are all also fine. There are one or two familiar faces along for the ride. Drew Barrymore, who is also one of the executive producers, didn't do very much for me as one of Donnie's feisty teachers, Patrick Swayze was adequate as a shallow self help guru, and Katherine Ross, who I can hardly remember seeing in anything of note since 'The Stepford Wives', is even better as Donnie's concerned but clueless therapist. I also got a kick out of seeing Gregg Araki favourite James Duval in the bizarre but memorable role of Frank. The scenes between Frank and Donnie being the high points of the movie, and almost worthy of David Lynch at his finest (Lynch being an obvious reference point for the movie as a whole). I advise anyone who has yet to see this to avoid all descriptions of the plot as the less you know about this movie the more enjoyable and surprising it will be. I don't consider it to be a great movie but it is a very good one, which is a lot more than I can say for 90% of Hollywood's output these days. Flawed but fascinating, 'Donnie Darko' is a movie definitely worth making an effort to catch. And keep your eye on Richard Kelly. I eagerly look forward to his next project!