this post was submitted on 07 Apr 2024
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Donnie Darko. Besides being confusing, it’s just a great story. Plus, it’s remarkably well cast.
If you have the opportunity to watch the deleted scenes, I highly recommend it - especially the one with the dad. His role in the cinematic version is pretty small, but there’s a deleted scene where he has a quiet chat with Donnie, and tells Donnie about his past mental problems. It’s fantastic, and rounds out his character perfectly.
I've watched this one 3 times and I still don't understand it :) cool movie still!
Did you watch the theatrical or directors cut? The latter explains a LOT more.
TL;DW If I remember it all correctly. The plane crash caused a "Final Destination"-esque rift in spacetime? Or fate? Or reality? And Donnie should have died, but didn't and because he didn't the universe will implode unless he fixes it in time by dying. He also gains powers to see the future as part of the deal (represented by the weird trails in front of people walking) and he realizes the future is everything ending unless he dies to seal up the rift. Frank, the bunny is like a guide or messenger or something.
Y'know I don't mind the "spoiler" because the realistic likelihood of watching this one feels kinda slim...
... But this sounds like a far better version of The Butterfly Effect, which was one of the most pointlessly edgy, pathetically nihilistic, manipulatively depressing films I've had the displeasure of seeing.
I saw that in theaters and it was one of the maybe two movies I've walked out of. It was so pointlessly depressing and just not enjoyable to us so we bailed.
Donnie is much better. Depressing? Yeah in a way, but also much more engaging and enjoyable.
I'm so happy for you, that you managed to only see part of it and cut and run lol. We saw it on DVD and the folks were so convinced it was a thriller that was gonna pay off in the end (like it was marketed, frankly)...ooof.
It doesn't get better, and you can probably infer from my comment what the main character's "revelation to fix things" was. (Apparently there were other endings)
If film is a communication medium, this one is more a cry for help than anything else. (I felt the same about a certain mega-popular decade-long anime that just concluded with similar empty-nihilistic ideas, but that's another topic lol.)
Who knows, I see Donnie making a lot of lists, so I just might, when I feel I can handle it. :)
Gloomy cinema aside, I hope you're having a great week. :) hahaha
I don't remember honestly. I remember having to read about the movie too kinda almost understand it.
Thanks for the explanation, now I probably have to watch it again :)
Is that in the director's cut? I tend to recommend the theatrical cut. I don't find it confusing but I can understand how it might be possible to get lost if you miss a key scene or two.
Don’t know. It deserves to be.
I used to have a DVD of the theatrical cut, which I got before I even knew a director’s cut existed.
I like how this movie's fanbase is split on a group of people recommending the theatrical cut and another group recommending the Director's Cut. I haven't found another movie that has something similar.
It's been a long time since I saw the director's cut. Having read the comment above about what the director's cut includes I'm more inclined to continue recommending the theatrical cut. The magic of that story and it's characters doesn't need more exposition, especially about the fantastical elements. It's enough to know that Donnie figure's stuff out and takes decisive action with the knowledge he and by extension the audience has at hand.
One of my favourites for sure. I just love the struggle the character has for what is and what isn't reality in that movie.