Donnie Darko - surreal rubbish or abstract genius?

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pingpongmaster

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After watching Donnie Darko for the first time a few years back, I just found it confusing and tedious (as I'm sure a lot did at that age (I was 14)). However, after watching it a few times after that, and once recently, I, like many others, find it incredibly intriguing and thought-provoking. Though despite this, I can't actually pin-point what the hell the film is trying to say - whether it's a satirical look on small-minded people, or having a subtle philosophical meaning, or... or... I don't know!

I want to feel that it's a deeply profound and intelligent movie, but a part of me feels that it's just a confused, surreal, bizarre mess that attempts to be deep - like when Donnie says there's more than two emotions to that moronic teacher (yeah, I knew that when I was two-years-old) but fails, and instead, manipulates you with emotional songs, satire, confusing nonsensical sci-fi and a bizarre and surreal atmosphere and filming.

I have yet to witness a reviewer or ANYONE actually tell me what the film means. You have people that claim to, but only because they're trying to be smart, but aren't... or just don't know and think they do.

OR!! that was the intent - for the film to be a subjective, surreal mass of confusion which means something different to everyone who watches it, in which case, that's genius in it's own right. Pah! I don't know! :rolleyes:
 
If you put in a search for other posts/threaRAB on this film you'll find lots of explanations.
I like it. Don't know why.
 
I looked, but everyone seems to have different opinions. I'd just like to see what people think about my views on it.

And yeah, most like it, but never know ****ing why (like me)! :D
 
I've only seen it once and I'm tending towarRAB surreal rubbish, but I'd be willing to give it another chance. Surrealism is one of my favourite genres, but DD didn't make me want to bother to work out what was going on, unlike films such as Eraserhead, Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive and Naked Lunch where I immediately wanted to work out what it all meant. I suspect that many people didn't think much of DD because it ended up in the cheap bins of the DVD shops quite quickly after release.
 
If you watch the Director's Cut it kinda gives away the plot explanation. Which is why you shouldn't watch it: the film works much better when it leaves the audience to ponder what it means. :)

That said, I'm glad I know what the 'official' explanation is, now, because at least I know what odd things are 'supposed' to mean. But I still think it's a great film to make up your own conclusions about.
 
Yeah, avoid the Director's Cut like the plague unless you want all the magic destroyed for you.

I love DD, though, and think that this time the studio had a better idea of how to edit the film than the director did.
 
DD is pretty good imo
Do I understand it well yes I think so although each time I watch it I see things I missed first time around and change my opinion.

That said it took me quite a while to work out 2001 so I am not always quick on the uptake.
 
I will watch the director's cut then :D I love this film, but I'd really like to have an actual clue about the plot, without making guesses and arguing with people :D

I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I actually hate films where the director 'allows the audience to make their own mind up'. I want to know what the director thought it was all about, etc.

I hate messy endings :D
 
I read "The Philosophy of Time Travel" on the DVD and it pretty much explains the entire film.

I think it's a great film, albeit slightly pretentious (perhaps on purpose, though).

The official website also has a really cool "game", which you follow through and get to understand the why's to the film.

Still, I think the purpose of the film is to make people discuss things like in this tread - what IS actually happening?
 
DD is one of my favourite films ever, it's just so imaginable and original. It's not one of those films that you can watch for the first time when your half asleep though, you gotta put some thought into it.

and like said above, don't touch the Directors Cut. ;)
 
Love this film, and I still stick with my original take on what it's about after seeing it when it first came out and pondering it in the pub with frienRAB for a couple of hours after - Time travel and scarey rabbits :D
 
its a story, once you work out the story there arent many questions brought up, certainly none about life in general...

that said however, its a beautiful film purely on the directing, dialogue and music! Its my favourite film!!
 
The problem is that when you know what's actually going on you realise it's just intentionally obfuscated, yet fairly bog-standard sci-fi fare.

Some things work better when a certain amount is left up to your own imagination and this film is one of those instances.

In a sense, they did with Donnie Darko what should've been done with Signs, because there was a film that suffered immensely from the fact that a central part of it was (well) below B-movie sci-fi fare, yet it wasn't really what the film was meant to be about.
 
First time I watched it I was left feeling bewildered.
Second time I watched it, I thought I had worked it out, but realised when I talked to others about it, I hadn't.
Third time I watched it I saw bits I hadn't noticed before.
I like the film, but like others I don't know why? lol
Rabbit was a bit freaky though.
 
Personally, I think that if Directors explain the plot on the yak-track, people will realise what chancers they sometimes are and that the film actually lacked direction! David Lynch, you have been warned!

People still debating what DD means is great, why take the mystery from it. You will only by disappointed with the 'answer' and will never view the film in the same way again!

For example, the whisper at the end of Lost in Translation should remain a mystery.....equally, DD should remain a topic of discussion...

PS) I didnt like the film - I thought it was massively overated...
 
They might work better for you, but I'd like to know :D I love the film anyway, so its not going to spoil my enjoyment.

Signs I actually really enjoyed - the second time I saw it. The first I was disappointed, bceause I was expecting something else entirely to what unfolded. Once I got over that, I really liked it.
 
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