WEIRDLAND: Donnie Darko no. 53 greatest movie of all times

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Donnie Darko no. 53 greatest movie of all times

Source: www.empireonline.com

"On a shadowy, non-existent street in Weirdsville, USA, first-time writer-director Richard Kelly lives next door to David Lynch and Greg Araki. In order to keep up with the neighbours, he has crafted his own magnificently bizarre hybrid of suburban paranoia and apocalyptic teen angst.

Of course, there could be a 'logical' explanation for the disturbing nightmares and time-travelling episodes that central-character Donnie undergoes. He's a sharply intelligent but world-weary boy, and the fact that he avoids taking his medication hints that what we're seeing – including his imaginary giant rabbit friend – is the by-product of some form of schizophrenia.

But Kelly leaves plenty of room for dark and playful ambiguity, and it's the casting of Jake Gyllenhaal that makes these bold moves succeed. A black sheep triplet to Tobey Maguire and Elijah Wood, Gyllenhaal's exquisite comic timing and laidback personality create a wonderful tension with the odd events surrounding Donnie. Cult glory beckons".

Reviewer: Alan Morrison.

Source: www.empireonline.com/reviews

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