Donnie Darko
The mind-bending story of the titular teenager (Jake Gyllenhaal), who is plagued by blackouts and bizarre visions that may involve time travel...
Richard Kelly's 2001 cult hit is one self-assured debut. Effortlessly jumping between coming-of-age drama and big unwieldy sci-fi ideas, Donnie Darko manages to feel both frighteningly universal and intensely personal. It was also heavily informed by the '80s setting, which provided a dynamite soundtrack and invoked beneficial comparisons to the great Spielbergian fantasy films of the era.
- Director:
- Richard Kelly (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Richard Kelly
- Cast:
- Jake GyllenhaalDrew BarrymoreMary McDonnellHolmes OsborneJames DuvalMaggie GyllenhaalPatrick Swayze
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressA sprawling, surprising, often muddled plunge into the feverish imagination of a disturbed teenager.
Total Film
pressA dazzling achievement. It'll have your brain doing exhilarating somersaults.
The New York Times
pressKelly is unable to give the movie the kind of pacing that would make us laugh and shock us simultaneously, because he's too infatuated with an aura of hand-me-down gloom.
Hollywood Reporter
pressMost [problems] stem from a young filmmaker overswinging on his first time up to the plate and hitting a deep fly out rather than a home run.
Empire Magazine
pressA mini-masterpiece that marks the arrival of brave new talents in Gyllenhaal and Kelly. Cult glory beckons.
Donnie Darko while hard to grasp on the first viewing (unless you view the directors cut but we'll get to that later) is extremely entertaining and this is where one of the films strengths comes into play. Anyone can enjoy Donnie Darko, it has elements of almost every genre. Romance, sci-fi, horror, comedy, mystery, drama, you name it it's probably in...
Great mind-boggling sci-fi black comedy indy flick. Shame the director proved to be a one-hit wonder, flash in the pan. Avoid his second effort at all costs (Richard Kelly's awful, pretentious tosh, SOUTHLAND TALES) - but see this!
A complete cult classic. This movie has many memorable lines including a fantastic speech by Donnie about why Smurfs are asexual. Dark comedy and a gripping story combine and are led by a gripping performance by a brooding Jake Gyllenhaal. He is tormented by a giant bunny rabbit who tells him the world is going to end in 28 days - This sets up a deadline...
Variety
pressA sprawling, surprising, often muddled plunge into the feverish imagination of a disturbed teenager.
Total Film
pressA dazzling achievement. It'll have your brain doing exhilarating somersaults.
The New York Times
pressKelly is unable to give the movie the kind of pacing that would make us laugh and shock us simultaneously, because he's too infatuated with an aura of hand-me-down gloom.
Hollywood Reporter
pressMost [problems] stem from a young filmmaker overswinging on his first time up to the plate and hitting a deep fly out rather than a home run.
Empire Magazine
pressA mini-masterpiece that marks the arrival of brave new talents in Gyllenhaal and Kelly. Cult glory beckons.
Donnie Darko while hard to grasp on the first viewing (unless you view the directors cut but we'll get to that later) is extremely entertaining and this is where one of the films strengths comes into play. Anyone can enjoy Donnie Darko, it has elements of almost every genre. Romance, sci-fi, horror, comedy, mystery, drama, you name it it's probably in...
Great mind-boggling sci-fi black comedy indy flick. Shame the director proved to be a one-hit wonder, flash in the pan. Avoid his second effort at all costs (Richard Kelly's awful, pretentious tosh, SOUTHLAND TALES) - but see this!
A complete cult classic. This movie has many memorable lines including a fantastic speech by Donnie about why Smurfs are asexual. Dark comedy and a gripping story combine and are led by a gripping performance by a brooding Jake Gyllenhaal. He is tormented by a giant bunny rabbit who tells him the world is going to end in 28 days - This sets up a deadline...
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