Film Review
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Film Review
Part A: Questions
- What is the significance of déjà vu in this movie? In the end, does Frank help Donnie and the world?
- The plot of the movie is quite complicated. Would it be right to say that it has three sequences, Donnie’s awakening, Donnie’s crimes, and Donnie’s sacrifice on the night of Halloween?
- Where does Frank the rabbit come from in the film? What is the significance of his ‘stupid bunny suit?’
Part B: Peer Answers
- Why is it essential that Frank is a rabbit? In mythology, rabbits are symbols of new life. How does this relate to Donnie Darko?
The fact that rabbits signify new life or resurrection in mythology is vital to Frank’s rabbit costume. His presence in the film depicts a rebirth or a new beginning. He is the person who ushers in Donnie into his awakening. This happens when he lures him out of sleep and starts directing his steps. It is a new beginning, as Donnie begins to engage in acts that he had never thought about before. These include bursting the water pipe in school and the crime of arson. However, the rabbit presence also wants to save the people from the end of the world, meaning that the aftermath will also be a new beginning. Aside from the mythology aspect of Frank’s rabbit features, the costume that he wears is quite scary. This is important as it creates the desired effect on Donnie when he first sees it. Donnie has to understand that he is dealing with things that are beyond the normal, and the bunny costume brings that out quite well. Additionally, the outfit is an essential part of Frank’s character since that is what he wore at the time of his death. Therefore, as they turn back the time, he dawns the same attire.
- Do you think there is a sign that these events happen in October near Halloween? Why or why not?
From a personal perspective, there is an association between the events of the film and Halloween. The history of Halloween dates back centuries ago when people wore saint-like costumes to ward off ghosts. This means that there were weird happenings that signified the presence of spirits. The activities in the film are quite odd. Donnie sleepwalks and runs into a giant bunny. His behaviors change instantaneously. Summarily there are many absurd events in the movie. Similar to Halloween, there is the need to ward off the evil spirits, which may are be taking place towards the end of the world. The person tasked to ward off these spirits is Donnie through the strict instructions of Frank the bunny. However, it is essential to note that Halloween is only a part of the activities that take place in October. Therefore, it would be unfair to say that the entirety of the film is dependent on the events of Halloween.
- What is the symbolic meaning of Grandma Death/Roberta Sparrow in this film?
Grandma’s death tells Donnie that every human has to die alone in this world. She also lives true to this when she is hit by a car and meets her death. The symbolic meaning of her death is so that Donnie can get to live. The assumption is that everyone lives in a loop, and they have to keep on running away from extinction. Therefore, this is what grandma’s death does all her life as she writes the philosophy of time travel book. However, in the end, there is the realization that if she keeps on escaping her death, then Donnie will have to die. That is when a car hits her and ultimately meets hare death. From this, Donnie gets to live his life, albeit sad that he has lost Grandma Death.
Part C: Peer Response
Melting the boundaries between fantasy and reality in films is quite an exciting area that has gained popularity in the past few years. Donnie Darko is a film that carefully merges these two such that they depict the real state of society but in a fantastic way. The film alternates realities and dreams. There is the depiction of mental illness, which is an issue in society, at least for Donnie Darko. However, it is presented in such a way that it seems fictional yet real, which is paradoxical of the film.
Donnie Darko’s therapist thinks that he has schizophrenia, but the audience knows that what he sees is real- at least in that fantasy world. Donnie ends up living the life of an isolated and disturbed teenager. There is also the depiction of real-life issues such as crime, politics, and education, although in a world of fantasy. When thinking about the effect of time travel, it could only happen as a projection in people’s heads but never in real life. The film, however, manages to engage the viewer in this type of fantasy such that they view it as the reality.
Lambie’s article is quite insightful when he points out the uncertainty that comes with moving into adulthood. Donnie’s teenage years are going to usher him into a strange land that he has not experienced before-that of adulthood. This same thing happens in the film. The meeting with the bunny guides him into a new area of different possibilities. The once innocent teenager can now burn an entire house. He also manages to kill someone and realizes that he has to take responsibility. This is the same thing with adulthood. Some things happen abruptly, and people then realize that they have the burden of responsibility.
The post indicates that the transition for Donnie is harder due to the lack of understanding by other people. His parents, for instance, take him to a therapist when he starts seeing things and especially the bunny. They do not take the initiative to understand the underlying causes of these and depend on the therapist to take care of the son. Even with this, it is essential to note that every person is usually in a transition stage in his or her life. Therefore, it is hard for them to understand the other’s perspectives. For instance, the parents of Donnie have not parented a seemingly mentally disturbed teenager before. Therefore, they are still trying to make sense of the entire situation and adapt. As for the other teenagers in school, they are also in their transition periods. Summarily, every person has their demons, and they have to struggle with that before they hop on to the help wagon for others.
Part D: The Fantasy Film
Lambie’s article prompts some serious thought about the actual life of an individual and the entity perceived on the surface. The report states that “Kelly depicts Donnie as a solitary figure passing through a landscape of affluence and seeming perfection.” Donnie is indeed a solitary figure, but the depiction of him living in affluence may lead to the misinterpretation of the situation, which is what happens most of the time in real life. People tend to see only the surface of what others are going through. They assume that they are living the perfect lives and therefore have nothing to worry about. When such people open up, it is often seen as an impossibility. However, Donnie’s parents recognizing the absurdness of the son’s situation, take him to an expensive psychotherapist. It is quite commendable that they thought of this, but this brings in the other societal problem. Do all problems stem from the mental and the affluence perspective? There could be other problems that Donnie has, and therefore, the psychotherapist may turn useless in the end. It is hard when people closest assume things about the individual and make decisions based on those assumptions, just like Donnie’s case.
Kelly, R. (2001). Donnie Darko. Pandora Cinema
Lambie, R. (2015). Donnie Darko’s Perfect Study of Teenage Isolation. https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/donnie-darkos-perfect-study-of-teenage-isolation/