Damn writer Gareth Bunkham and his perfect article on 52 Reasons Why Back To The Future Might Just Be The Greatest Film Of All Time. Since that cracking article was reissued last week by WhatCulture!; I have been honoured with the task of proving why, one of my favourite films of all time, a one Donnie Darko, should join this prestigious list, that along with the 80’s sci-fi blockbuster, so far includes;

Ghostbusters,

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho,

Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver.

and Jaws!

 

As Donnie Darko turns 10 years old this year, below are 50 reasons and to all you Darko fans, enjoy:

 

1. Richard Kelly

Writer, director, visionary, Richard Kelly made Donnie Darko what it is today – a magical film that inspires and entertains on every viewing. For a first time filmmaker, the direction and innovation of Donnie Darko is stunning and for a debut feature, highly admirable. I could go on for hours about each little thing that makes Darko so perfect from Kelly’s point of view, but I don’t want to bore you all, here’s a brief list instead, all of which come back to Kelly’s genius.

 

2. The Dinner Table Scene


After those first crackling echoes of thunder (the calm before the storm) and the introduction of Donnie’s family, the dinner table scene soars in. It’s a comical opener, a poignant taster of what’s to come. Real life brother and sister, Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal bicker at the table, and the infamous line ‘You can go suck a fuck’ is uttered. Politics and Donnie’s medical issues slide into the dialogue. It’s a bitter sweet family moment, with laughs a plenty and hooks everyone into the film on first viewing.

 

3. Mary McDonnell

Playing Donnie’s mother with theatrical excellence, it’s an understated role. McDonnell seems to float around the piece, with a very laid back, hippy vibe to her performance, yet there’s real heart in her acting. She stated that the final scene was tough to do, as there was no real pay check to focus on. It’s a great testament to an actress who did it for purely the love of a wonderful script and for the art of cinema itself.

 

4. Frank The Rabbit, An Icon In The Making

We first meet Frank on one of Donnie’s many sleepwalking misadventures; he’s stood by a golf bunker in his grey rabbit suit. The iconic bunny tells Donnie when the world will end and saves him from an aeroplane engine, busy night huh? Yes it’s a crazy plot, but hey you gotta love it. The rabbit continues to appear to Donnie in a dreamlike state, and as you well know the fun just never stops. It’s an artistic dream, a vision which both epitomises the film and signifies anything related to it, a masterpiece of cinema.

 

5. Quotes:

Sam Darko: Why do I have to sleep with Donnie? He stinks.

Donnie Darko: When you fall asleep tonight, I’m gonna fart in your face.

 

6. The Script

A clever well crafted narrative piece. Richard Kelly’s script is near perfect, structurally synched, dialogue springs to life, delving into characters whilst being hilarious and moving simultaneously. The differing scenes and situations link with ease, the theme of fate acts as deus ex machina throughout, yet doesn’t feel overbearing. If there’s a better first time screenplay out there written in the past ten years, I want to see it.

 

7. Grandma Death

With her crazy punk hair cut and her cute little waddle Grandma Death is just another one of the iconic characters in Donnie Darko. Roberta Sparrow’s just another cog in the fate wheel and one of Kelly’s many subplots that all connect to create something fantastic, something bigger.

 

8. Jim Cunningham’s Controlling Fear

This satire on motivational speakers and the whole 80s ethos is a great little piece in the film that brings the humour to the table and yet still an uncomfortable side to Patrick Swayze’s performance that will be explored later. The students watch these videos with an ironic hate of the material, it must be a situation Kelly found himself in back at high school, but the satirical statement on 80s America is greatly appreciated.

 

9. Seth Rogen’s Film Debut

One of the modern kings of film comedy may have started out on Apatow’s Freaks & Geeks, but it was Richard Kelly who gave him his movie debut. A pudgy faced, young looking Seth Rogen plays Ricky Danforth, the bully Seth Devlin’s (played by Phantom Planet’s Alex Greenwald) right hand man. It’s not a major role with any tough acting involved, but the comedy elements are definitely there.

Rogen delivers the hilarious line ‘I like your boobs’ with adolescent awkwardness. Kelly has a keen eye for casting and helped launch the career one of the Apatow clans’ finest actors who would very soon be pulling in millions per performance.

 

10. The Swayze, RIP

Richard Kelly accumulated a very unique cast for Donnie Darko, one that included singers, celebs and serious actors, yet the casting of the much loved and likeable Patrick Swayze as a pedophile was always going to be a brave move. In one of Swayze’s finest roles he plays Jim Cunningham, a motivational speaker who carries a dark, seedy secret behind that tanned fake facade. It’s a ballsy decision which paid off, a fitting tribute to a fine and misunderstood actor.

 

11. Drew Barrymore & Flower Films

Donnie Darko was so very nearly a straight-to-DVD film, yet Drew Barrymore and her Flower Films came to the rescue and managed to give it a well deserved run in cinemas. She not only used her hollywood clout to produce Richard Kelly’s vision she believed in but also her star power by appearing in the cult film, bringing a deep layered teacher to life on screen. It’s a testament to her skill as a filmmaker that Darko became the future success it did, she had faith and also the talent to get it out there. Kelly may have had the inspiration, but Barrymore had the belief.

 

12. S. Darko – or how to rape a classic

I once refused to ever watch the so called ‘sequel’ to one of my favourite films of all time, as everyone could see it was a pointless, money grabbing project that would never live up to its predecessor. Yet with only the best intentions my Mum bought me the DVD one Christmas and so I somehow found myself watching it, maybe to see how bad it truly was, to poke fun at it, and God was it awful.

It’s an absolute disaster of a movie, but this proves how good the original is. S. Darko follows an extremely similar structure, themes, iconography; it’s a fogged reflection of the cult. Everything Kelly got so right, this sequel got so wrong. If anything S. Darko proves how brilliant Richard Kelly’s debut is, as in another filmmaker’s hands, well the perfect film became a perfectly terrible film.

 

13. That Soundtrack!   

Tears For Fears, Echo & The Bunnymen, Joy Division, The Church, Duran Duran, INXS, no soundtrack better defines the 80s than Donnie Darko’s. The ideal collection of pop classics seamlessly gels with the mood of the piece and adds a nostalgic brilliance to the film. With the added instrumentals of Michael Andrews and Gary Jules haunting cover of Mad World, well it was complete, unashamed 80s bliss. I’ll go into depth on each song further down, but man, this soundtrack just inspires.

 

14. It’s The 21st Century Cult

Widely known as the first major cult of the 2000s Donnie Darko epitomises the difficult to define sub genre. A midnight movie in the making, the film has it all; sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, icons, music, a gothic feel. The cult genre is built upon low budget, genre pieces and this just ticked so many boxes. To every cult fan out there, Darko is the one.

 

15. Perfect Midnight Movie

I haven’t been lucky enough to either see Donnie Darko at the cinema or at the midnight revival screenings that are said to play regularly across the globe, but I can only imagine the feeling. Re-watching this classic on Halloween or just late one balmy night, cinema doesn’t get better than this.

16. 28 Days, 6 Hours, 42 Minutes, 12 Seconds

 

What is it with the number 28 and the number 42? Danny Boyle and Alex Garland feared 28 with their zombie epic and well everyone knows 42 is the meaning of life. Any who, this number is highly significant in the movie as Donnie scribes the digits into his arm whilst sleep walking, to remember that’s how long he has to live. It’s an iconic part and has led even to fans getting tattoos of the segment; a friend of mine has the art on her arm also, and Richard Kelly himself retweeted this image!

 

 

17. Hey There’s Even A Stage Adaptation

The film may have led to an atrocious sequel, but more successful adaptations have been attempted. Students across the land have tried to bring that dark, 80s world to life through film and theatre. In 2007 a theatre in Massachusetts ran the play for 2 months. I myself predict a remaking at some stage and/or a comic book adaptation, but I’m just cynical like that. But it shows the magic of the film that admirers worldwide feel the need/honor of attempting to recreate the film.

18. The Critics & The Fans Can’t Be Wrong

Topping polls and always found to be critically loved Donnie Darko soars high on both IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes. Empire polls always contain this little indie project and top 10’s are plagued with the cult hit. I mean, the critics can’t be wrong, it’s an instant classic. The award winning movie like other greats (Fight Club and Shawshank spring to mind) wasn’t appreciated at first and took time to reach the heights it so dearly deserved… but good art always sustains and grows in people’s conscious.

 

19. Holmes Osborne

He has become a Kelly regular, character actor Holmes Osborne turns in the most human of performances for his role as Donnie’s Dad. The film is very family orientated, Harry playing such a realistic father figure who you just buy from the first moment he’s on screen. The advice he gives and the way he handles situations is down to earth and quaint. It’s another understated performance. Kelly mastering direction helps to get the best from his cast, truly inspiring stuff.


20. Head Over Heels Number

The camera twists 180 degrees as Tears For Fears’ single Head Over Heels kicks in. We follow Donnie through his school, quickly establishing new characters, a future love interest, friends, foes and teachers. It’s a clever and fast paced scene that says so much in such a short space of time. We catch a glimpse of Sparkle Motions future dance number and a moody Drew Barrymore storms to her first class.

 

21. Cherita Chen

In what could be seen as a racist part of the movie, Kelly takes a lot of 80′s ignorance/misunderstandings and hurls abuse at Chinese student Cherita Chen. It’s a bold statement, yet highlights how evil school children can be. Her role is key to the piece as she opens up Donnie to certain revelations whilst further establishing a darker world behind the plastic suburbia.

 

22. Kitty Farmer

An evil character of kinds, the religious nut of the piece, her whiny voice and manipulated ways add to the humor and present the quint essential figure of America’s past. Just another iconic role to add to the pile. And isn’t it just impossible to see actress Beth Grant as any other character after this, no matter what movie she appears in.

 

23. The Killing Moon 

 

24. Quotes:

‘Some good shit huh?

‘It’s a cigarette’

 

25. Graham Greene

The works of Graham Greene are discussed throughout the film; they cleverly mirror the events and emotions of the narrative, as a kind of foreshadowing. Few teen dramas make such great use of the literature debates. Kelly really related to and maturely gets across the authors writing in a simplistic way. The narrative ploy is just one of many techniques Kelly uses throughout to make the viewer go ‘ahhhh’ and ‘oooooh’ in both shock and recognition.

‘They say right when they flood the house and they tear it to shreds that… destruction is a form of creation, so the fact that they burn the money is ironic. They just want to see what happens when they tear the world apart. They want to change things.’

 

26. Jena Malone is Gretchen Ross

The film is a teen’s wet dream, a gothic tragedy with a hot female lead. The ultra talented Jena Malone plays Donnie’s love interest. Her past is as twisted as any other and her pale white face reflects a girl who’s dealt with more than she should have. Our very own Juliet is accurately cast; she fits the role so well. It’s a relationship you always believe, a character you feel like you know, and she delivers some heart wrenching lines so perfectly.


27. FATE/DESTINY

It’s a biggey in Donnie D. It’s the major theme of the plot and connects every character, decision and event. Many will call it a get out clause, Kelly’s very own fail safe, but it’s the entire point of the piece, you can’t deny it or down play it, when it’s what keeps the thing moving. Fate is the films secret weapon, and for those confused by the plot, think of it as this, everything happens for a reason, one thing leads to the next. He’s a clever one that Mr. Kelly.

28. Quotes:

‘Sit next to the boy that you thinks the cutest!’

 

29. Halloween Scene

I’ve said many times before the film is a masterpiece of imagery. An iconographical wonderland of 80’s nostalgia and gothic beauty and the Halloween scene is no different. In fancy dress costumes the party hits full swing, with the apt Love Will Tear Us Apart blasting out. As the film draws to the climax, the music tempo increases and the gang bike ride to Grandma Deaths. It’s a delight for the eyes and ears, cinema at its best.

 

30. Jake Gyllenhaal

In the lead, eponymous role Jake Gyllenhaal pulls off the performance of a lifetime as the angsty, troubled teen. A heartthrob from the off, this role isn’t over dramatized or cliched, just real and human. An inspiring lead in what can be best described as a career high, so early on too. When he wears that skeleton costume you can see a hero in the making, I’m surprised there isn’t any action hero toys of Mr Darko yet. Someone make some yeah?

Would Jake Gyllenhaal really be the movie star Jake Gyllenhaal without Donnie Darko?

 

31. Quotes:

“Go home, and tell your parents everything’ll be ok.”

 

32. The 80s

This era has a special place in my heart, and it’s probably due to Donnie Darko really. The 80s was a distinctive decade and is recreated majestically within the film. The music and the style are transferred well and add to the mood. It’s the perfect era. It’s reminiscent for those who lived it, and a kind of fantasy world for those who missed it.

 

33. Cinematography & Art Direction

Richard Kelly made best of a small budget to create something truly cinematic. There is a hell of a lot of camera movement, as tracks and tilts effortlessly follow our hero through 80s America. The loose camera work brings a dream like quality to the film, and highlights the wonderful art direction. The era is portrayed correctly and the director takes full advantage of the fashion and feel of that most famous of decades.

 

34. Watch, Watch & Re-Watch Again

Like all great cults, Donnie Darko can only be truly appreciated on repeated viewing, to fully understand and take in all it has to offer. I can remember my first viewing, and just been open mouthed and shocked come the Mad World ending. I was perplexed, but thank God for the Internet, as I further researched the movie, and then re-watched again and again, finding out more each time I fell in love with this piece of cinema.

Donnie Darko is like investigating an unsolved crime and it’s a movie to very easily become obsessed with.

 

35. The Portrayal Of Teen Life  

Darko accurately portrays teen life in ways that most films seem to struggle to do. Kelly establishes his very own 80s Romeo + Juliet and makes hyperbole of teenage life. He takes the troubles of those misunderstood years and escalates them with time travel and one eyed rabbits to make something really down to earth and something you can relate too, yet still entertaining and fantastical.

 

36. The Budget

In our day and age of multi-million dollar franchises it’s refreshing to be able to say that Donnie Darko was made for around $4.5million. It’s quite substantial for a rather small indie but still a feat in filmmaking. The movie feels like so much more and with its cinematic excellence made great use of the budget. It proves that films don’t need such ridiculous budgets, and that more indies should be given the benefit of the doubt.

 

37. Under The Milky Way 

 

38. So Many Genres

Donnie Darko is so unique it seamlessly blends genres with ease; sci-fi, fantasy, crime, comedy, noir, they all feed into the machine. It’s a brave and cultish world Kelly creates and one that should be applauded. He took so many risks and it’s scary to think it almost never made it.

 

39. The Smurfs Scene

‘What’s the point of living if you don’t have a dick?’

In a comic scene the guys shoot glass bottles whilst discussing the Smurfs. Kelly throws in the laughs yet as always there’s deeper meaning going on. Life is the major conundrum debated and the meaning of it, the teens go into depth in a childish, macho way yet the anxieties ooze out.

 

40. Quotes:

‘Someone oughta write that bitch.’

 

41. The Cinema Scene

Whilst watching The Evil Dead, Donnie finally has a little chat with the iconic Frank. The operatic music fits perfectly as they talk about time travel and the future. It’s revealed Frank has one eye missing and the movie starts to slowly unfold. The lines: ‘why you wearing that stupid bunny suit?’ ‘Why you wearing that stupid man suit?’ are said with such conviction. It’s an epic, grand scaled scene, very simplistic but overwhelming.

 

42. Quotes:

‘I know I’m not the best communicator, but whatever happens to you, be honest, tell the truth. Even if they do look at you funny. They will. But what you gotta understand son, is that almost all of those people are full of shit.’

 

43. OCD much? This taken from IMDB;

The movie takes place in 1988. Frank tells Donnie the world will end in 28 days, 06 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. If you add these numbers, the sum is 88. When Samantha asks when she can have kids, Donnie says: “Not until 8th grade.” Donnie mentions to his therapist that his dog Callie died when he was eight. (He is later seen holding a stuffed toy dog in her office.) Donnie jokes about the Back to the Future DeLorean which had a speed of 88 MPH. According to the television reporter, the fire at Jim Cunningham’s house was extinguished “sometime after 8:00 last night.” The red-eye flight that almost crashes is Flight 2806 which boards at Gate 42 at 12 AM. The climax of Donnie Darko occurs one week before the 1988 US presidential election, when George Bush won on November 8, 1988 11/08/88. The movie was shot (for a budget of less than US$5 million) in 28 days. There are 28 scenes in the director’s cut of this film.

 

44. The Score

Michael Andrews delivers a beautifully haunting score, working mostly alone he sculpted an albums worth of songs, most noticeably ‘Manipulated Living’. It’s gothic, dark and unsettling, going with the films themes and aesthetic transcendently.

 

45. Sparkle Motion

Along to Duran Duran’s Notorious, lead by Donnie’s sister the dance group Sparkle Motion perform a dance number at the school competition. I remember when I first watched the film trailer advertised on Film 4, the imagery of Frank the rabbit, and these dancers in silver just grabbed my full attention. It’s so 80’s but so memorable. The film’s unique in so many ways.

 

46. Quotes:

Donnie: “How’s it feel to have a wacko for a son?”

Mrs Darko: ‘It feels wonderful.”

 

47. Maggie Gyllenhaal

In a subdued performance from Miss Maggie Gyllenhaal, she plays Donnie’s sister, no mean feat, as in real life she’s his fellow sibling. Her role as a sometimes selfish, opinionated teen is minor yet still effective. An early favourite role of hers.

48. Love Will Tear Us Apart

 

49. The Ending: Mad World

In the emotional end, Donnie sacrifices his life so none of the bad that happened would actually come true. Those involved feel the effect momentarily. The family mourns, and Gretchen passes unaware of her boyfriends existence. Gretchen and Donnie’s Mum stare at each other from across the road and wave, like some unsaid agreement, something that can’t be put into words. It’s a confusing anticlimax, yet works wonderfully. A touching end to the perfect film.

 

50. It’s very confusing!

Yes the film is extremely complex and confusing at times, but I still feel inspired every time I watch this movie. In an industry where audiences are taken for granted and producers can only see Dollar signs, I’m happy to still see filmmakers passionately furthering cinema whilst respecting their viewers and pushing their experiences too.

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