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Donnie Darko [2002]


RRP: £5.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Donnie Darko is a thought-provoking, touching and distinctive offering from relative newcomer, Richard Kelly (II). It's 1988 in small-town America and Donnie, a disturbed teenager on medication and undergoing psychoanalysis for his blackouts and personality disorders, is being visited by a being in a rabbit suit whom he calls Frank. It's this anti-Harvey that saves Donnie from being crushed to death when an airplane engine falls from the sky onto his house. This is the beginning of their escalating relationship, which, as Donnie follows Frank's instructions, becomes increasingly violent and destructive. Added to this is Frank's warning of the impending apocalypse and Donnie's realisation that he can manipulate time, leading to a startling denouement where nearly everything becomes clear.

"Nearly everything", because Donnie Darko is a darkly comic, surreal journey in which themes of space, time and morality are interwoven with a classic coming-of-age story of a teenage boy's struggle to understand the world around him. The film leaves the viewer with more questions than it answers, but then that's part of its charm. Performances are superb: Jake Gyllenhaal underplays the mixed-up kid role superbly and Donnie's episodes of angst positively erupt out of the screen. There are also some starry cameos from Mary McDonnell as Donnie's long-suffering mother, Patrick Swayze as Jim Cunningham, the personal-development guru with a terrible secret, and Noah Wyle and Drew Barrymore as Donnie's progressive teachers. Undoubtedly too abstruse for some tastes, Donnie Darko's balance of outstanding performances with intelligent dialogue and a highly inventive story will reward those looking for something more highbrow than the average teenage romp. --Kristen Bowditch

Editorial
Product Description

Drew Barrymore, Jake Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell October 1988 and small town USA is about to witness the end of the world. It's home to Donnie Darko, a brilliant but troubled teenager, plagued by terrifying visions which he alone knows the meaning of. With his class mate and soul mate Gretchen and a mysterious ex teacher, nicknamed Grandma Death, he must unravel the strange occurrences affecting his school, his home and his life before a horrifying spectre known only as "Frank" leads Donnie to the edge of his sanity. Special Features 5.1 Sound Chapter/Scene Selection Interactive Menu
Editorial
Synopsis

Writer-director Richard Kelly's bold debut film is a social satire, a dark comedy, a science fiction time-travelling fantasy, and a suburban nightmare about an extremely intelligent, depressive, self-destructive, narcoleptic, gun-toting, sex-crazed, teenaged arsonist: Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal). DONNIE DARKO is not your typical teen comedy. But, like GHOST WORLD and RUSHMORE, it uses the trappings of the teen comedy as the entry point for a subversive and trenchant (and also wonderfully entertaining) look at American life. The difference between those films and DONNIE DARKO is that Donnie is an unlikely hero who just might save the world.
It's October 1988, in the Virginia suburb of Middlesex. When Frank, a grotesque giant bunny (possibly imaginary), leads Donnie out of his house minutes before a plane smashes through his roof, he not only saves Donnie's life but also warns Donnie that the world is about to end. Over the next few weeks, Donnie falls in love with Gretchen (Jena Malone) and tries to figure out what his life means. Kelly's film perfectly captures the unease that is quietly scratching under the surface of suburban late 1980s life. Gyllenhaal leads an exceptional cast, bringing Kelly's twisted but humane vision to life. An exceptional performance is given by Mary McDonnell (PASSION FISH) as Donnie's mother.
Editorial
Jonathan Ross, Film 2002

"Strange, different, beautiful and compelling – like David Lynch crossed with John Hughes. The most refreshing and original movie I’ve seen in years…"

This film is a masterpiece in movies.
Review date: 2008-07-10 Rating: 10 out of 10

I absolutely love this film. Awhile back i borrowed this film of my sister because it looked interesting and the cover was cool, and when i watched i was hooked. The great thing about this movie is that it makes you think alot very clever, the acting is brilliant, the storyline is just bloody incredible. Everytime i watch this film it gets better and i always have to watch all the way through it's so amazing. This is hard to put in the genre but who cares. The ending really makes you think, and the song Mad World by Gary Jules is just perfect for this film. The whole story is really interesting about a troubled teenager but very smart, Is told by an imaginary rabbit(creepy rabbit) that the world is going to end and goes on from there. You have to watch it for yourself as it is a masterpiece, you will be confused at the ending but the second time you watch you'll understand it alot better. This film along with Lord Of The Rings are my 2 favourite films they are just simply amazing. This movie is a must buy, if you're looking at this page you're obviously curious about the movie so i'll give you the advice BUY THIS MOVIE NOW!!!!!!!!!

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Reviews


timeless classic
Review date: 2008-06-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

one of the truly great films of the last 8 years this is simply brillient,

GREAT SOUNDTRACK
Review date: 2008-06-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

I always think that if you provide the right soundtrack you are half way there to achieving the desired effect. This film is an eclectic mix of white picket fence and the dark deep things which go on behind closed doors. We see the very disturbed, dark, intellegant young man Donnie Darko, who has a fascination with time travel. You are lead to believe that the boy has mental problems as we see him talking with a large bunny rabitt called Frank. Frank apparently tells him to carry out various evil deeds but as the film moves along, you begin to wonder if its everyone else around him who has the mental problems and that he is in fact normal (within reason). Great film, don't expect to really understand it, enjoy it for what it is, and buy the soundtrack.

Fan Dabby Dosa!
Review date: 2008-06-02 Rating: 10 out of 10

Donnie Darko- Absolutely fabulous, arrived spick and span. Completely satisfied with this product, would recommend to anyone with a thirst for knowledge!

we are a little like donnie Darko
Review date: 2008-05-08 Rating: 8 out of 10

"Donnie Darko what kind of name is that?"asks his new date. We all harbour his thoughts but need a "hero" like Donnie to speak up for us. Shame about youth today they appear to accept a lot of crap, unless it affects them directly. Has a go at authority, "self belief motivators" and "goody goody" people and especially those who piss him off.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Jake Gyllenhaal
James Duval
Mary McDonnell
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Patrick Swayze

Creators:
Jake Gyllenhaal (Primary Contributor)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Prism Leisure Corporation
Manufacturer: Prism Leisure Corporation
EAN: 5014293150255
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Colour, DTS Surround Sound, PAL,
Release date: 2004-02-02
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002-01-30
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Original Language)

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