In Defense Of Donnie Darko?
Last week, I made the unpopular statement that I think Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko, Southland Tales) is bad at making movies. Obviously, we are all entitled to our opinion, but based on some of the comments received, I am a little less entitled to my opinion than fans of Richard Kelly's work. Actually, let's clarify, I am less entitled to my opinion than fans of Donnie Darko, because clearly no one is arguing in defense of Southland Tales. Now, while I do not understand why it should bother anyone that I am not a fan of this movie, since surely we can find common ground on something else, and if you like it why does it matter that someone else doesn't, not to mention the fact that if it's really as great as you say it is, I will ultimately look like a fool (in the future, when Donnie Darko is named President of All Movies).
But here is the thing: I have not yet heard an argument of what makes Donnie Darko a good movie.
My claim is that, while it has a good soundtrack, and Jake Gyllenhaal is passably if not annoyingly moody, the movie ultimately relies on plot devices cooked up by someone who's read one too many O. Henry short stories for their high school class on How To Be Clever. When the movie ended I was just left with the all-too-familiar sinking feeling of "that's it?" And I don't really enjoy movies where filmmakers employ a meaningless visual (man dressed in spooky bunny costume) just because they think it looks cool and that's it. If that's the extent of your thinking on the subject, I think that you need to work a little harder and find a cool visual that also moves the plot forward, or echoes the deeper themes of the movie (the movie should have deeper themes), or does SOMETHING.
Now, I could see someone picking apart my argument really easily. It's not particularly complicated, and I'm not very smart. And ultimately it really boils down to the simple fact that I didn't like it, which is not a big deal. But at least I tried to make an argument. At least I pointed out things that I did not like and gave reasons for it. The only arguments I'm hearing in favor of Donnie Darko can best be summed up by the comment left by Joe: "fuck you, richard kelly is great."
Will someone please tell me why this movie is good? Seriously, I want someone who likes the movie to actually tell me why they like it. I'm genuinely curious. I'm sure there are good reasons for liking it that revolve around the actual movie and not around how much I suck as a person and am so stupid for not agreeing.
Posted by Gabe at 11:24 AM in Letter From The Editor
Tags: Donnie Darko | Jake Gyllenhaal | Richard Kelly
Brilliant, disillusioned kid shakes up his conservative, suburban environment and finds purpose to his life along the way. Add an unbelievable soundtrack, a great cast, some great dialogue.. what's not to like? It's like a spooky Catcher In The Rye.
Score = 2
Donnie Darko was a catalyst for Patrick Swayze's waning career; it paved the way for him to reprise his much loved role as "Dance Class Instructor" in Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. Also, if I remember correctly, it has a countdown thingy, which lets you know when the movie will be over. It's a good plot device. I think.
Score = 1
The part of Donnie Darko I think I like best is the way Richard Kelly seems to be trying to capture the idea of a Moment In Time on film. All of the obsessive cultural references, like the soundtrack music, and the viewing of Evil Dead to the clothes they wear, is about that particular day in that particular year. But the plot is about how we can't really be anchored in Time, it's fluid and can be upset by the smallest change. Or something, obviously I'm rambling here.
P.S. J. Hoberman totally defended Southland Tales, but that one put me to sleep. He wrote, "Southland Tales actually is a visionary film about the end of times. There hasn't been anything comparable in American movies since Mulholland Drive." http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0621,hoberman,73309,20.html
Score = 1
I liked that it has almost two minutes of my favorite Tears For Fears song. Does that make it a good movie?
Score = 0
"What's not to like? It's like a spooky Catcher In The Rye."
What about those of us who don't like Catcher In The Rye. I mean, it was awesome when I was 16 and was smarter and wittier than everyone else in the world, but the years have dulled my double-edged sword/tongue. idk, man. I'm with Gabe. Donnie Darko's only great that first time and if that first time happens when you're a teenager.
Score = -1
I'm beginning to doubt your committment to Sparkle Motion.
Score = 3
Yeah, I don't know. Donnie Darko's not very good. But I can't explain what I don't like about it. I don't think it's that it has gone to Clever School.
But it's the same thing that bugs me about Darren Aronofsky movies. And Kevin Smith.
If someone can pinpoint it for me, that would be great.
Score = 0
-It turned a good profit (Actually I have no idea if that is true)
-It informed us that Maggie Gyllenhal is hot in a weird way, and that Jake Gyllenhal sure is dreamy
-It's entertaining to watch Swayze get arrested and Jenna Malone felt up
Score = 1
Congrats. You just proved Donnie Darko is a movie.
Score = 0
I have no idea about dvd sales, but Donnie Darko only made 1.2 million dollars at the box office (and that is including the re-release in 2004). The budget was 6 million.
Can anyone explain the Drew Barrymore "cellar door" crap?
Score = 0
I agree that it is a movie with flaws. Drew Barrymore may be your primary problem problem- she can suck the life out of anything. Or it could be that the film pretentiously proposes a number of big ideas and motifs such as "destruction as a form of creation", "fate vs. will", and least of all the mechanics of the time-space continuum, and fails to really resolve most of them with any proficiency (even in the director's cut). That aside, I think you still have a movie with interesting characters (A Guy in Bunny suit from the future!), a well crafted soundtrack, and an informal forum on Smurf Gangbangs (Let's face it, we've all wondered). It's not Citizen Kane, but the conflicts the film attempts to address--even if it fails to fully reconcile them, makes it worthy addition to the cannon of films I'm not ashamed to own. I think it's on a shelf right next to Pootie Tang.
Score = 1
Pootie Tang was written and directed by Louis C.K., the greatest comedian of our lifetime, and as such is deeply underrated while still being not the best. PARADOX.
Score = 0
you're right. Donnie Dark doesn't comie down on the panty sty.
Score = 0
THANK YOU. I am not a Donnie Darko fan. It was okay, but it was not the end-all amazing movie spectacular fantastic wonderland everyone made it out to be. It's a decent movie, but I wouldn't spend money on it.
Score = 0
catcher in the rye was a fucking joke. and so was donnie darko.
Score = 0
One of the ways I judge movies is by its characters. I thought the writing was sound enough to make me connect to their situations, and Mary McDonnell was fabulous as Donnie's mom. Plus, the nerd in me really enjoys the idea of parallel universes.
Oh, and, Noah Wyle nibbling on those Jolly Ranchers? Roar.
Score = 0
Dude, I agree with you 100%. Donnie Darko is convoluted bullshit. Kelly thought he could get away with some sort of pseudo David Lynchian formula (in most of your eyes he did....silly excitable people). It doesn't work for me at all. Plus, Drew Barrymore gives an embarrassing performance.
Score = 0
I like it for similar reasons as I do Southland Tales. It's a fun fantasy that doesn't really all add up, but leaves plenty of room for interpretation and despite the gloomy atmoshphere and melodrama, it's just fun and funny. I think people that dislike his movies so much are taking them way too seriously, as are some of the people that are obsessive defenders of them.
Score = 1
I like Donnie Darko but agree that's totally disjointed. It's lack of cohesion hinges on the fact that it's trying to cling to time travel, emo kids and half-hearted 80s ephemera and ride those for all their worth (definitely something that could be perceived as working towards clever). Emo kids existing in the 80s is a paradox all its own.
For me, I'm a fan of the cinematography and the look of the film - it looks a lot darker than it actually is.
The question that remains is why t-shirts with the numbers on them and bunny masks sell so much for being not that good of a movie.
Score = 1
Donnie Darko is a good movie because there isn't a reason why it's not.
Score = 0
Wait, I thought Donnie Darko was a great movie because nobody really knew what it was about and therefore, by default, we had to say we liked it to sound smart and fit in, right? ...guys?
Score = 0
Any movie that needs an accompanying Web site to make excuses for its many implausibilities and outright contributions isn't a good movie. The staging is pretty weak, the plot is very convoluted, there is no discernible meaning [just an arrangement of cryptic semiotics in the space of meaning], it's pretty pedestrian in comparison to similarly ambitious works and the editing is generally poor. At least, other than the plot inconsistencies, the writing was occasionally punch and had all the time travel nonsense been eliminated, Donnie Darko may've been a nice, quirky story about Californian conservatism in the '80s, somewhere between Ordinary People and a John Hughes movie. Unfortunately, the movie tries to cast itself into the company of "film" and thus, deflates any sense of modesty.
From those who defend the film, I'd love to see a top ten "best ever" list.
Score = 0
"Donnie Darko" mocks the modern world's obsession with self, superstitution and supernaturalism. It's the opposite of reality, in which everyone knows and helps Donnie along his "path." (In the real world, there is no "path." ) It's a dark comedy on that level, all the way to its smallest parts like the fearsome supernatural creature actually being his sister's boyfriend in a rabbit suit. It's true that most people don't get it. "I'm voting for Dukakis" ...and who asked her?
Score = 2
The entire premise of the movie is what intrigued me. I watched this movie in prison, and environment that is hostile toward any movie that does have a bunch of stuff blowing up at 5 second intervals, to keep the uneducated criminals entertained. I sat down to watch it, and was hooked with the way nothing seems to make sense, untill you get deeper into the movie. I love movies that require you to think, such as this, and Magnolia as well. I think that most everyone has gone through some of what Donnie has gone through, and makes him relatable to most people. My reasons for liking the movie may not be what you were asking for, but the fact remains. If you like the movie, you love it. If you dont like the movie, its your choice. Different people like different movies for different reasons. I personally dislike the new Batman movies, Christian Bale has killed Batman, and they bastardized the Batmobile. I wish all copies of that movie as well as the archival footage would spontaniously combust at the same instance, but something like that could only happen in a Tangent Universe. ;)
And one last thing I want to add... "Please tell me, how exactly does on suck a f**k?"
Score = 1
In the commentary the writer said movie mainly was about how our fear dying alone is not true in a way he said you die with your god, the movie was great on its symbolic core as well as an amazing soundtrack. the reality i guess is why should i convince you to enjoy a movie that you do not. i love the movie and i think the symbolic meaning of the whole thing will stick with me till i die myself.
Score = 1
Donnie Darko is good because it is what it is. It doesnt have to logical everything doesn't have to make sense. The bunny costume does fit in later in the movie contrary to what some have said. I guess i mostly like the movie because i can relate to the kid and it comforts me to know that some one else in this world i,even if it is just a writer, has thought the same thoughts that are in my head.
Score = 0