50. Donnie Darko Directed by Richard Kelly

1. Bibliographic Information:
Ball, C. and Barrymore, D. (Producers), Richard Kelly (Director). (2001). Donnie Darko. United States: Pandora Cinema.

Approx. 113 minutes
Rated R for language, some drug use and violence
Catalog # 2003642
Bar Code # 0-24543-03642-5

2. Plot Summary:
Donnie Darko is a troubled teenager living in suburban town named Middlesex. Upon waking up on a deserted road Donnie, rides his bike home to find that a jet engine has crashed through his house and into his bedroom. The whereabouts of this plane or how the jet engine fell is unknown. However, this event has irrevocably altered Donnie’s life. He begins to see a bunny named Frank. Frank can see the past and the future, and warns Donnie that the world is going to end. Donnie, unsure about who Frank is or what his motivations are, feels compelled to obey Frank’s instructions. Donnie’s life begins to spiral as he comes closer to the date that Frank says the world will end. Donnie tries to learn what is happening to him by talking with some of his high school teachers, but they are unable to help. Is Frank a delusion of Donnie’s mind? Or does he serve a greater purpose?

3. Critical Evaluation
Donnie Darko poses more questions than it answers. By creating a character that has possible emotional issues as well as being tied to his emotions as a teenager, writer/director Richard Kelly forces the viewer to suspend belief, and look within to question what is real. Throughout the movie there are constant contradictions. We hear Donnie’s therapy sessions, see Frank the bunny and Frank the man, see that there is a demonic bunny cookie jar in the Darko’s kitchen, and yet there are no definitive answers. However, there are no wasted scenes, characters or motivations; all serve a purpose to the plot and themes of this motion picture. Ultimately, the viewer must decide whether or not they believe in these possibilities. This is where the movie succeeds. The audience is willing to suspend belief in order to discover what is real; to determine how time travel is possible, the impetus, and thus its possibilities. Through all this, Donnie becomes a more rounded character, one that the viewer can show apathy for if not relate to.

4. Reader’s Annotation:
Donnie Darko sees Frank, a demonic bunny, who tells him that the world will end in 20 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 6 seconds. Can this be real?

5. Information about the Author/Director:
Richard Kelly is a writer, director and a producer. Born on March 25, 1975 in Newport News, Virginia, he graduated from the University of Southern California majoring in film. He has written other screenplays, and is going to direct the upcoming film, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. See citation from IMDB.com.

6. Genre:
This movie is a science fiction thriller.

7. Curriculum Ties:
I do not think that a school would show this movie unless it was dealing with philosophical questions on what is real. If such was the case, then possibly an English class would be most fitting, and even then I would only show clips.

8. Booktalking Ideas
What is reality?
Is Frank a figment in Donnie’s imagination, due to delusions from mental illness or real?
Do you believe that time travel is possible or the existence of parallel universes?

9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that the themes in this film would be most understood by 17 and 18 year olds. They would be able to think abstractly and understand the questions posed by the film. Furthermore, they would be able to relate to Donnie’s relationship with his parents and siblings.

10. Challenge Issues
Since this motion picture is rated R, teens under 17 cannot legally watch it without parental/guardian consent. Therefore, I would suggest that any adult who wishes to show this film to minors needs to write out consent forms and obtain a parent’s signature.

For an example of school procedures see Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 PDF:

http://www3.d93.k12.id.us/media/117671/2160p%20classroom%20use%20of%20videos%20and%20movies%20procedures.pdf

11. Why was it selected?
I chose Donnie Darko because I thought that this was a film that provoked teens. I think that there are far too many examples of older teen movies strictly made for entertainment, and I wanted to include an example of one that made teens think.

12. Citation Page

Bonneville Joint School District No. 93. Classroom use of videos, dvds, and movies procedures. Retrieved from http://www3.d93.k12.id.us/media/117671/2160p%20classroom%20use%20of%20videos%20and%20movies%20procedures.pdf

Internet Movie Database. (2010). Awards for donnie darko (2001). Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246578/awards

Internet Movie Database. (2010). Richard Kelly (II). Retrieved from www.imdb.com/name/nm0446819/

DVD Town. (2009). Donnie darko dvd. Retrieved from http://www.dvdtown.com/moviedatabase/coverart/donnie-darko/dvd/9720/0

13. Awards
2002 Silver Scream Award at the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival
2003 Chlotrudis Award for Best Actor and Best Screenplay
2002 Cinénygma - Luxembourg International Film Festival Audience Award
2003 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
2002 Gérardmer Film Festival Premiere Award
2001 San Diego Film Critics Society Awards
2001 Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival Best Screenplay
2001 Sweden Fantastic Film Festival Audience Award
2002 Toronto Film Critics Association Awards Special Citation