Caught this film about 3 or 4 months ago (brother rented the VHS and told me to watch it -- "it's trippy", he said.)

Shamelessly, I half-assed it and didn't, for whatever reason, get much out of it; rented the DVD again a few days ago, and now I've already gone out and bought it (not to mention I've already viewed the damn thing an insane 5 or 6 times already -- haven't done that with a film since, ehm, American Beauty, or perhaps Alexander Payne's brilliant Election.)

Anyway, if you haven't seen the film, do. A debut picture for director Richard Kelly, it's sort of a mix between a teen-angst flick, a time traveling sci-fi, a bit of satire (80's, that is), and a few other genres thrown into the blender (seamlessly, I might add).

The themes are significant, the film is technically a work of art, and I'm constantly left both dumbfounded and emotionally captivated. The direction is confident and slick; the acting (by a group of lesser knowns and a few cameos) is stellar (I have high hopes for Gyllenhaal, the film's protagonist); and the score, by Michael Andrews (who Mr. Goldwasser informed me of ), beautifully depicts the comedic and dramatic elements with perfection; this is honestly one of those scores that goes hand in hand with the film, and I can't imagine another going along side the images.

So, like I said, if you haven't seen the film, do so. Beware, it'll probably take a few viewings (I'm still not fully confident of my own theories after the many viewings, not to mention a ton of reviewers unfairly dismissed it because of their unclear reaction to the ending -- ahem, Ebert...), but man is it worth it.

If you have seen it, please post your thoughts. Anxious to hear.

~Jason

Sadder, really, because mainstream cinema has (in my opinion) undoubtedly gotten worse and worse over the past 10 years, and it doesn't look to be going anywhere but down (pessimistic, or realistic? It's almost as if it's a fundamental theory now -- Hollywood films, by and large, are simply getting worse).

Then again, who am I to talk? It's one of the only films that could be deemed "independent" I've seen in the past few years.

I keep coming back that damn Hollywood trash!

NP: About to go see a big-budgeted, probably-will-suck Hollywood epic -- Reign of Fire.

I was curious about the ending myself, but if you listen to the director's commentary on the DVD everything will be explained.

!!!!!SPOILER AHEAD!!!!!

Maybe it's the fact that Frank lays on the horn at the end of the film to warn Donnie of his fate. Or, maybe it's the fact that Donnie wakes up and laughs because of one of two things, he thought it was a dream, or (in my opinion) he is prepared for his fate and welcomes it. WOW, the film is incredible! There is so much depth to it. I highly reccomend the commentary on the DVD, it is very eyeopening. This film leaves me breathless everytime i watch it. Damn good film! Damn good score! Both Richard Kelley and Michael Andrews have a wonderful future in film making IMO.

Thats my 2 cents

quote:

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Maybe it's the fact that Frank lays on the horn at the end of the film to warn Donnie of his fate. Or, maybe it's the fact that Donnie wakes up and laughs because of one of two things, he thought it was a dream, or (in my opinion) he is prepared for his fate and welcomes it. WOW, the film is incredible! There is so much depth to it. I highly reccomend the commentary on the DVD, it is very eyeopening. This film leaves me breathless everytime i watch it. Damn good film! Damn good score! Both Richard Kelley and Michael Andrews have a wonderful future in film making IMO.

Thats my 2 cents

Rich

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If you listened to the commentary on the DVD, the ending is really open to your own interpretation. I found this to be a extremely enjoyable film that satisfies more with repeat viewings.

*Runs to local video shop to buy a copy of Donnie Darko

I wonder why when I initially posted this I could have guessed the two or three people who'd had seen it and respondeded...

quote:

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Originally posted by Cole:
I have to cast my vote in accordance with most of the views presented in this thread. I was incredibly suprised with this movie and have fallen madly in love with it. it made me feel like a kid a teenager and an adult all at the same time. there is nothing like a group of kids riding their bikes at halloween!

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If you have the DVD, the Director did that scene as a homage to E.T. Aww.....:rollseyes:

quote:

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Originally posted by Hasta:
Anyway, all it's taken is Donnie Darko and now Bubble Boy to make me realize that Jake Gyllenhaal is, without doubt, the best male actor under 20.

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Jason, see OCTOBER SKY, and then you'll realize you could have figured out that he's an actor to keep an eye on after one film, instead of the two you mentioned.

(And he's over 21.... )

Does anyone know the "operatic" song played as the end titles roll? It isn't on the soundtrack.

quote:

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Originally posted by FOrbit:
Does anyone know the "operatic" song played as the end titles roll?

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"Ave Maria"
Written by Giulio Caccino and Paul Pritchard
Courtesy of Associated Production Music LLC

Must say I enjoyed every minunte of it, though I'm still undecided about how to interpret the ending. Guess I'll watch it again and then maybe check out the commentary.

<HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

While I do not know what the piece is, I do know that it is definitely NOT Ave Maria. That is used during another scene in the film -- I believe in the scene where they are watching the football game.

The piece used during the end credits is also used during the theater scene (when Donnie leaves and Gretchen falls asleep).

[Message edited by modo on 07-16-2003]