Donnie Darko - Fürchte die Dunkelheit

Donnie Darko gehört wahrscheinlich zu den Filmen, die man so richtig (wenn überhaupt) erst beim zweiten (oder dritten) Mal schätzen lernt. Aber was nützt es, wenn ich kein Bedürfnis spüre, mir diesen Film noch einmal anzuschauen? Ich kann die Schauspieler*innen loben, ich kann die Regie sowie die Auswahl der Lieder loben. Die Tatsache, dass ich von diesem gut bewerteten Film mit einem langweiligen und eingebildeten Drehbuch im Stil von "staunt doch, ich bin etwas Großes" schrecklich enttäuscht war, kann aber nichts davon verdecken. Ein seltsames Werk, das ich lange gemieden habe… Was eine gute Entscheidung war. (30.07.2011)

Hypnotic, captivating, and unclassifiable in genre. It contains sharp satire, elusive sci-fi, and playful originality, yet I cannot convey Donnie to an unfamiliar viewer. It completely deviates from the norm in scenes with the rabbit, excellently builds up the ending, and above all, shows for the first time that Jake Gyllenhaal truly has talent. An unforgettable, although far from flawless experience. (25.01.2006)

Very strong 4*. An excellent psychedelic trip that does not lead the viewer by the hand, cleverly inviting many interpretations, but you don’t need to understand it, just to enjoy it sensually; and you’ll watch it in one breath. What a relieving feeling compared to Kelly's follow-up Southland Tales, where in retrospect one realises how he repeats himself in an embarrassingly awkward way, and where the most you can learn from the dialogues is who has beaten who, or would like to beat who, and who has a big cock and who has a small one. Kelly, get your feet back on the ground or you'll go down in film history as someone who never crossed the shadow of its powerful debut. (29.05.2008)

Interesting film. Above all, Donnie Darko has a fascinating atmosphere and I don’t even mind that I didn’t quite get everything. I actually doubt it has only one right explanation, I think it’s one of those films that has to be experienced emotionally rather than understood rationally. For the time being, an uncertain 4 stars (I don’t know whether strong or weak), but I might change my opinion when I find time to rewatch it. (11.09.2008)

An unorthodox story about a high school “geek" is an impressive movie adorned with excellent acting, a well-written and original screenplay and a completely absorbing dense atmosphere. Despite all of this I can’t shake the feeling that from the whole movie somehow protrudes the fact that it could be a tiny bit better than it finally is. I would be very interested in seeing the twenty minutes longer Director’s Cut. If that’s good, I would definitely raise the score to five *. (14.03.2005)