Donnie Darko sheds more light
by Heather Wahle
The Metropolitan
Pay close attention to the screen or you may miss the extra 20 minutes added to this film. "Donnie Darko," the director's cut, has arrived in theatres following its original 2001 release. A cult following occurred after the film had a dismal run at the box office and became available on DVD. Since then, audiences have filled midnight showings at independent theatres and theories have developed, both contributing to the director's cut being released to selected theatres.
"Donnie Darko" is a unique film that addresses many different issues: mental health, time travel, teen angst, dysfunctional families, high school cruelty and death. The movie surrounds the title character, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, as he struggles with nights of sleepwalking and daily hallucinations of Frank, a demonic 6-foot-tall bunny rabbit.
The film showcases 28 days in October 1988 before the world could end. On Oct. 2, Donnie averts death by escaping his bedroom the night a mysterious plane engine falls through his roof. By cheating death, Donnie challenges the time portal that somehow gets obstructed. He is haunted by visions of Frank and is guided by a time travel book written by a neighborhood recluse.
The Darko family comes complete with a complacent father, indulgent mother, rebellious older child, schizophrenic son, and an innocent youngest daughter (played by Gyllenhaal's real-life sister Maggie). Also highlighted is the complex private suburban high school where Donnie finds solace in classmate and love interest, Gretchen. An unorthodox English teacher attempts a deeper connection with students, an intuitive science teacher leads a time travel search, an oppressive gym teacher tries to stress love versus fear, and a motivational speaker influences Donnie's experiences.
The extra 20 minutes in the extended version of the film includes excerpts from the book "The Philosophy of Time Travel," various visual effects, deleted scenes, and a music change. The time travel text leads the film in a different direction at times, spelling out the theme of the movie. Outlines of particular chapters allude to a twist in the ending. The visual and music changes were minor and fairly unnoticeable. The deleted scenes added other elements to the movie. The relationships between the family are addressed in detail and give background information on why Donnie is filled with such angst. More scenes in the school also shed light on why Donnie is conflicted with life in general.
The director's cut is worth seeing just to get more insight on the film. While the extra footage isn't necessary to appreciate the movie, it is useful to see what other directions and issues are addressed with the footage added. Donnie Darko deserves a second viewing, if only to catch different elements easily overlooked. |
