It's funny Roger but I can't get my wife to watch it either and it took a hell of a lot of convincing to get a group of friends to watch it. 90% enjoyed the film...the other 10% thought it was downright aweful and swore never to watch anything I recommended again...they've stuck to that too. One of the reasons my wife won't watch it is the description on the back of the box that describes a "demonic rabbit" that is visiting Donnie. To me that description is off the wall and I think is one of the reasons why many people won't watch the film...they think it's some sort of jackass horror flick with an evil "Harvey" running around. Which, as you know, is not so at all.
I'm not sure you'll dig my take on the film but here goes...
If I were to compare it to another film or pair it up with something for a good double feature the flick I think it most reminds me of is "American Beauty"...I'm not going to give away plot points or info about the film to people who have not seen it that may be reading this but if you think about this I think you'll agree...so to me the film is more comedy/satire about the suburban...ahh middle American...mindset/lifestyle...sure it's a bit spooky at times but that is pretty minor in relation to the message of the film.
The stuff that makes it a great movie to me is:
1. A great story. It twists and turns and keeps you guessing right up to it's sort of ambiguous ending.
2. A great cast. All the actors are incredible. I love a film with an ensemble cast that hits all the right notes. I mean I was never a fan of Drew Barrymore or Patrick Swayze but man, they are perfect in this. All the actors hit the ball out of the park...it's rare to get that in a film I think. Even all the child actors are great in it.
3. Great direction and cinematography. Richard Kelly, the director, made a fan of me with this film. He definately got a big assist with the beautiful dreamlike images Steven Poster got on film. I mean just the images are beautiful to look at. Kelly wrote this film too. Tell me you won't go out and look for whatever else he does next or has done. It's well paced and well told. The film just really sucks you into it's world.
4. A great soundtrack. That is some memorable music and really sets the tone and mood throughout the film. A great cover by Gary Jules of that 80's tune by Tears For Fears "Mad World" too. Hat's off to Michael Andrews.
5. Combine all these elements and you've got one of those rare films that sticks with you long after you've watched it. One that is fun to go back and watch again and again. It's also one of those movies that you just love introducing other people to because you want to see their reaction to it and talk about it afterwards.
So, that's my take on it. It's obvious to me that the guy who wrote the crap on the back of the box never saw the movie. He compares it to shlock like "Stir Of Echos" and "Final Destination"...which are horror flicks and shitty ones at that. I don't think "Donnie Darko" is horror at all...unless you make the argument that banning books, suppressing individual free thinking, brainwashing the youth of America, mindless devotion to new agey idols, tarting up your children to perform like trained dogs, and of course kiddie porn...all topics touched on in the film...are horrific...well then of course you could call it horror...but demonic rabbits? This has nothing at all to do with the film and you see more about the inner workings of a private school than you do about Frank the bunny. Any way enough outta me...
Reg
