Donnie Darko

Richard Kelly 2001

"Go home and tell your family everything will be ok"

I am an incredibly cynical person and immensely difficult to please. This is especially true when it comes to films. Sometimes however I am surprised.

"Donnie Darko" is without a doubt one of the best films I have seen in a very long time. Disturbed and confused, the lead mentally dissolves before us and in turn we are disturbed and confused.

At times the Director creates such an understanding between the main character and you, that I did at one point glance around me in the cinema to see if there were any giant rabbit around.

It is often the case that when a main character dies in the end (sorry to give away the plot!) that the film has failed, this is not true here. Again because of the restricted narration and sympathy experienced, the death is joyous. As Donnie lies back on his bed and smiles, we nod our heads in understanding.

This is a sleeper hit, that will in time gain the popularity it definitely deserves.

"The voices made me do it"