Donnie Darko Essay

The Movie Donnie Darko
Background In the movie Donnie Darko, Donnie is a high school student who is remarkably
smart, but for the last several months has had trouble in school and with his friends. His friends
and family have always thought of him as "weird", but lately he has been acting more and more
out of the ordinary. One night Donnie wakes up outside in a golf course with no recollection of
how he got there. When he arrives home he discovers that a jet engine has crashed through his roof,
and hit where he should have been sleeping. Since that day Donnie has been having visions of a
six–foot tall, doomsday preaching rabbit. This rabbit tells Donnie that the world will end on a
specific date (Ball, 2001). At first, Donnie does not pay attention to the rabbit and tries to act
normal around everyone around him. He loses all but one or two of his friends because he begins
to act and believe strange things. He starts to believe that time travel is possible and fights with
one of his teachers trying to prove his point. During this time he becomes friends, then later
develops a romantic relationship with a girl. He disregards everyone else but her and has no desire
to interact with others (Ball, 2001). His visions intensifies and he starts seeing the rabbit, whose
name is Frank, everywhere. Frank tells Donnie to do things that Donnie doesn't want to do, such as
break into his school and cut the waterline, and burn a motivational speakers' house down. Despite
having no desire to do these
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Donnie Darko Analysis
Donnie Darko and Run Lola Run do have some similarities, although they are faint. Both films
have a cause and effect situation to them that lead us in confusion and suspense throughout the
films. In Donnie Darko the audience are left at the ending wondering "what would have happened
if the plane never crashed into his room? / How would Donnie act or end up if he were to live a
longer life. We see the past and present in both films seen through the characters. In Run Lola Run,
when Lola accidentally runs into a person, we see snapshots of their futures, which play out
indirectly as a response to their interactions with Lola. Compared to Donnie Darko who is seeing his
life coming to an end when Frank tells him the world is going to end. Each film battles with the
amount of time they have to live or achieve their goal. They also share the ideas of hidden items
/meanings in the films. In Donnie Darko, there was a photo of Donnie with bunny ears that is
discreetly placed on a table near the phone that he grabs. Comparable to the Hitchcock film being
represented in Run Lola Run, with the use of spirals and paining of the woman actress in the station
giving the vibe of Hitchcock's film Vertigo.
Time traveling, and the encountering of different people is a large aspect of both films. In Donnie
Darko, we are never in one place for two long and we are continuously watching Donnie impact and
have his life impacted by other people in the community. Then there is Lola, who is running

Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko – English assignment by Emma Bak Sauer Donnie Darko is a film by Richard
Kelly from 2001, with Jake Gyllenhaal in the main lead. The film is supposed to look like it's from
1988. The film is about a schizophrenic teen that lives in the American suburb of Middlesex. When
an unidentified giant plane engine crashes into his room, a chain of mysterious events is triggered.
Donnie is plagued by visions of an evil–looking rabbit named Frank. Who makes Donnie commit
acts of violence, and tells him the world will end in 28 days. Frank is the boyfriend of Donnie's
sister Elizabeth. The Frank who speaks to Donnie is a kind of ghost Frank – a remnant of Frank,
because Donnie shoots him in the eye within the Tangent Universe's 28 days...show more content...
Donnie goes to the fridge where a note is saying, "Frank left to go get beer". Then Donnie takes
Gretchen to go see Roberta Sparrow, Grandma Dead, because times almost op. Two thugs then
attack Donnie and Gretchen, which are two guys from their school. One throws Gretchen onto the
ground; the other holds a knife to Donnie's neck. Roberta is standing in the middle of the road and
a car tries to avoid her but then hits Gretchen and kills her. The driver is Frank; this is the real Frank
– Donnie's sister's boyfriend. Donnie gets scared and frightened and shoots him in the eye. With
Gretchen's body at his side, Donnie watches a storm begin. Donnie then remembers what Gretchen
said about taking back all the bad things and replacing them with something good. Donnie then goes
back in time trough the wormhole and changes the future with him staying in bed. With him staying
in bed and the crashing hits their house Donnie gets killed. Gretchen lives on, without ever knowing
Donnie. I think Gretchen feels some kind of dГ©jГ vu when she sees Rose. Gretchen actually
doesn't know Rose yet, but she did before Donnie went back in time. You get the feeling that Rose
and Gretchen seem to recognise each other by _way they look at each

Essay on Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko In recent years, Hollywood has specialised in churning out mainstream trash; generic
fodder not even fit for the cutting room floor. Yet despite these movies' shortcomings, they continue
to enjoy success at the box office. Sequel upon sequel, photo fit remake upon photo fit remake,
frequently taking the box office by storm whilst simultaneously relegating smaller independent
projects to the now relatively unheard–of arthouse cinemas. The tragedy is that the independent
filmmakers are often those with the most talent; the most creativity; the most flair. One such
filmmaker is director Richard...show more content...
In fact, each frame speaks to us on more profound terms than the majority of arthouse films would
claim to do. This is, in part, due to the impeccable performances by each and every member of the
cast. Jake Gyllenhaal, a relative unknown, delivers a subtle yet emotionally charged performance as
Donnie himself – the scene in which he tells his psychologist of his various childhood traumas is
made both funny and moving by the haunting way in which Jake delivers each line, contrasted
with the almost childish qualities of his movements on the couch. Most incredible of all, however,
is his terrifying screen presence as he trudges slowly through a deserted corridor or along a dark
street, head tilted slightly forward, face fixed in a confused, bewildered expression. Drew Barrymore
is also superb as the liberal high school teacher rejected and scorned in a Conservative education
system, while Patrick Swayze is excellent in his extended cameo, a smartly observed satire of a
self–help guru with a few skeletons in the closet.
Where the movie comes into its own, however, is in its ability to incorporate and deal with a
variety of genres. Every movie genre seems to make an appearance, so much so that to categorise
the movie as simply a "psychological horror" or a "supernatural thriller" would be an unforgivable
insult. Even

Donnie Darko vs. Oedipus Rex Essay
Greek tragedies were often seen as the foundation to literature not only for the Greeks but also on a
universal scale as well. Sophocles' Oedipus Rex was one of the more infamous tales because of its
provocative and unorthodox nature. The tragedy features a man on a quest to prevent the events of
his prophesized life from coming to fruition. The key components of fate, destiny and time can be
paralleled to the cult classic film Donnie Darko. In the movie, Donnie suffers from predictions of the
future in his own variation of time travel, as a repercussion he has been "chosen" to rectify the past in
order to preserve what is to come.
Between the two pieces of text, destiny and fate greatly affect the outcome for both of the...show
more content...
Donnie has to suffer the knowledge that his death would be the only way to prevent the
cataclysmic incidents like that of Ashton Kutcher's character Evan Treborn in The Butterfly
Effect. He too understood his role in life was apocalyptic as soon as he was conceived. When
Donnie ran into Grandma Death she whispered to him that "All things die alone," ("Donnie
Darko") it can be seen just how tragic and miserable his life was going to be. After assessing the
whole film, it can be realized that she was right because Donnie inevitably died by himself without
ever having met Gretchen and without resolving his fight with his mother. Another event can be
one of the first encounters with Frank in which ended with "28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12
seconds" ("Donnie Darko") being etched into his arm. He had his very own expiration date and
"end of the world" timeframe given to him. The very thought of knowing one's own time of death is
absolutely frightening and panic inducing. One of the deleted scenes off of the DVD provided more
insight into Donnie's mind and his acceptance of death: A storm is coming, Frank says.
A storm that will swallow the children, and I will deliver them from the kingdom of pain.
I will deliver the children back to their doorsteps;
I'll send the monsters back to the underground.
I'll send them back to a place where no one else can see them, except for me because I am Donnie
Darko
("Donnie Darko")

Essay about Donnie Darko Belonging
Belonging is a perception shaped within personal, social, cultural and historical context. While to
most the concept only includes acceptance and harmony, there can be two sides to belonging, and
Donnie Darko explores this idea through its characters and their context in the film.
Donnie Darko is set against the backdrop of the 1988 Bush vs. Dukakis Presidential election; it
represents 1980's conservative America through the last 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds
of Donnie Darko's life. There is a strong theme of insecurity and isolation and many of the characters
don't belong throughout the film.
These themes are represented by Kelly using a range of film techniques. The use of iconic
references, such as fashion, news and...show more content...
Like Donnie, she sees the bigger picture of society. "We are losing them to apathy." She explains to
the indifferent Principal Cole.
"I am sorry that you have failed." He replies, after an unsatisfactory explanation for her dismissal.
During the scene, Mrs Pomeroy is seated lower than Principal Cole, making him seem more
powerful and while Mrs Pomeroy's body language is open and truthful, Principal Cole's is cagey
and exasperated, blocked off and protected by his desk. The audience and Mrs Pomeroy know who
is right, but are powerless to change anything, creating a feeling of isolation.
A sense of irony is created as the most honest people in the film are labelled as mentally unstable
(Donnie is diagnosed with schizophrenia) or, in Ms Pomeroy's case, unsuitable figures of authority,
whereas characters such as Jim Cunningham, while famous and respected are revealed as false
(Donnie burns down Jim's house to expose a "kiddie porn dungeon").
While outcasts of society, they all are connected by their position, which could be seen as either a
blessing or curse. To be happily oblivious to the shortcomings of society might be wistfully
contemplated, however, given the choice, I don't think the characters would choose it.
Watching this movie, I felt I could relate to them, as I think everyone does, having experienced life
so far. It's confusing and frustrating sometimes. I'm sure everyone has times where they feel like an
alien

Psychology Donnie Darko
Top of Form
Bottom of Form Many films today go beyond simple dramas and acts of heroism. A recent interest
in the individual and why each person does, acts, lives the way they do makes for wonderful film
adaptations of the tortured human soul. Cult films like Donnie Darko received a very strong
following due to its strong portrayal of a young man dealing with psychological issues, the question
of God, feeling alone, and death. More than any teenager should have to deal with but considering
our day and age, it is not surprising that the following Donnie Darko has earned through beautiful
portrayal of a tormented soul is made up of mainly adolescents. In the film, Donnie is said to suffer
from paranoid schizophrenia....show more content...
Also, paranoid schizophrenics often of hallucination of smell, taste, sexual and other sensations.
Visual hallucinations such as the ones presented in Donnie Darko are also possible occurrences or
symptoms but are rarely the main hallucinations individuals suffer from. In the film, Donnie hears a
voice command him to wake up and he follows the voice until he reaches the place he is supposed to
reach. At that point his hallucination takes visual form. Other times as well he either hears his
hallucination, Frank, or sees him, or both, oftentimes having conversations with him. Further,
Donnie realizes near the end of the film that he has a special mission he must complete which is to
die in order for members of his family and his girlfriend to live. Treatment of paranoid schizophrenia
includes medication, psychotherapy, hospitalization, and other forms of therapy. Outside of the
western world some communities help the individual suffering from schizophrenia with group based
activities and some have seen positive outcomes for the individuals, sometimes more so than
individuals treated in the western world with therapy and medication. In Donnie Darko, Donnie's
therapist conducts typical sessions where she asks him how he is

Essay about Where is Donnie?
"Donnie Darko," is the first film of writer/director Richard Kelly, starring Jake and Maggie
Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore and Patrick Swayze came out on October 26, 2001.
However, three years later, "Donnie Darko" was re–released in a director's cut version, with
remastered sound, picture, 20 minutes of new footage and new visual effects. This marked the film's
impressive success on DVD sales – taking in more than $10 million to date in the U.S. sales alone.
When I first saw this film, I couldn't quite grasp the meaning of the whole story, but now seeing it
for a whopping 7 times I can now call it one of my all–time favorite movies to watch. The opening
scene in the movie is where the audience first meets Donnie Darko...show more content...
As Donnie gets up and grins I knew instantly that he was used to waking up in odd places and that
it was "normal" to him. Showing that Donnie is a strong but unusual character slightly hinting that
there is something more going on, and what is explained and revealed later as him being
diagnosed with schizophrenia. When I first saw this movie I knew that it was going to be strange or
surreal because of this beginning of Donnie waking up in the middle of a road on a mountainside.
Next, are several shots of brief duration that follow are shown in montage format, Donnie mounts
his bike and starts to ride it back home. In the original film 'Killing Moon' by Echo and the
Bunnymen is played. This can later be understood to be a comical insinuation to Donnie's friend,
Frank, who is a bunny–man, or wears a bunny suit for most of the movie at least. This is the first of
many comical moments in the film, not all as insinuating. But, in the director's cut 'Never Tear Us
Apart' is played nondiegetically in the opening scene. The song is as lively as the bike ride and
gives a menacing and exhilarating feel to the suburbs that he rides into. The suburbs themselves are
mundane – Donnie rides past a sign for the upcoming Halloween carnival, two neighborhood women
are speed walking with hand weights together in tracksuits, big houses, a red Pontiac Trans–Am
speeding by and, as he approaches his house, the camera dolly's in to his father

Donnie Darko
Twenty–eight days...six hours...forty–two minutes...twelve seconds, that is when the world will end.
The movie Donnie Darko, Frank tells Donnie that the world will end in just a short time. Throughout
the movie, different literary devices are experimented to give the movie a deeper meaning. This
provides the audience with a hidden message that gathers the viewer's attention while keeping them
entertained. Donnie Darko is a movie that has imagery, symbolism, and foreshadowing and by
merging these devices creates a film that holds their audience's attention. Frank is one of the main
characters in the story who surfaces in the movie as a man wearing a rabbit's costume. He only
appears to Donnie when Donnie takes the prescribed...show more content...
Using a wormhole, Donnie has to utilize telekinesis to send the artifact back to the primary universe.
This objective has to be completed within twenty–eight days or the world will cease to exist. There
are two types of universes: primary and tangent universes. A primary universe is a universe that we
live in or see on a day–to–day basis. The tangent universe however is a universe that cannot sustain
itself or exist for a very long time. To create a tangent universe an artifact must occur, in this case the
jet engine, into a day that had already happened. Donnie was not located in his room at the time the
artifact appeared, because Frank came to him in his dream and encouraged Donnie to start walking
away from his house. Being closest to the artifact, Donnie became the living receiver and had to
eventually return the jet engine. The manipulated includes everyone in the movie, except for
Donnie, which is the living receiver. There are two types of manipulators: the manipulated dead and
the manipulated living. Two main characters of the movie in the tangent universe that were killed
are called the manipulated dead. On the other hand, the manipulated living includes everyone else
that did not die in the tangent universe, including Donnie's parents, sisters, teachers and some
students. When it was discovered that the bronze statue in front of the school was

Donnie Darko Essay

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