Donnie Darko

Foxxx · 16-02-2004, 10:49

I did a search to see if this has been talked about before and it doesn't look as though it has specifically (only mentioned in some other threads).

I finally got round to watching this much recommended film at the weekend and really liked it although got a bit confused by what was going on exactly. I think I have the main gist but definately need to watch it again now I know how it ends to work out how everything ties up.

Was just wondering if anyone else has seen it and what you thought it was about exactly and explain what the relevence of some of the characters were. I have some unanswered questions about it. e.g. my bf thinks that Donnie missed his time to die and thats why the series of events kicked off. However, I'm not sure as Donnie met Frank before 2nd October, so why? and the plane engine landed on his house from an unknown source which later ends up being his mum and sisters plane which all the events build up to making them be on that plane. Obviously there's the time travel element but was it all building to a porthole to ensure a loophole occured to go back in time and donnie die. Why was grandma death waiting for a letter? What was the relevence of the man in the red boiler suit? There are a lot of hidden things occuring in this film and I'm just trying to piece it together having only seen it once!

Help!!!

Fantomas · 16-02-2004, 13:15

Great film. I don't think there is a definitive answer to everything that's going on in the film, but this site has a pretty good stab at explaining it. It's a long read but worth it!

Steve1974 · 16-02-2004, 14:14

Fantastic film and yes it does make you think a little!

*Twinkle* · 16-02-2004, 14:15

Yeah, I liked it!

jennymac · 16-02-2004, 15:45

saw it, thought about it for a bit and then thought well cool, interesting, a bit wierd and and rather peaceful...found it hard to explain to those who havent yet seen it just advised them its worth a viewing....

BrainThrust · 16-02-2004, 18:02

This is one of my favourite film and i think (as most people seem to have said already) that it is an open text ie. it is dependant on the viewer filling in the gaps with their own ideas.

I had a very defenite idea of what happenend in it and then i watched the commentary on DvD and the director had very different ideas about what was going on. My advice is not to watch the commentary, it ruined an aspect of the film for me as i can't see it any other way that the direfctors vision now and discussing it seems pointless.

I loved to argue about it with my friends too.

Wilf

Jon · 16-02-2004, 20:50

Fantastic i love this film

try Darko

Foxxx · 17-02-2004, 07:31

Quote:

Originally posted by BrainThrust
This is one of my favourite film and i think (as most people seem to have said already) that it is an open text ie. it is dependant on the viewer filling in the gaps with their own ideas.

I had a very defenite idea of what happenend in it and then i watched the commentary on DvD and the director had very different ideas about what was going on. My advice is not to watch the commentary, it ruined an aspect of the film for me as i can't see it any other way that the direfctors vision now and discussing it seems pointless.

I loved to argue about it with my friends too.

Wilf

Yeah, I've spoken to a couple of people and they have different ideas. Not got the directors commentry so won't be able to hear it! Just got the DVD without extras.

Foxxx · 17-02-2004, 07:34

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon
Fantastic i love this film try Darko

This site looks interesting, only I can't get past the first bit. Got to the bit where it shows you the news article about the hit and run, then you have to enter a name like a bird or something. I assumed it would be swallow (wasn't that grandma deaths name) but nothing happens. I can't continue

if I go back to the main menu it won't let you into another level without a password.
Help!

Foxxx · 17-02-2004, 07:36

Quote:

Originally posted by Fantomas
Great film. I don't think there is a definitive answer to everything that's going on in the film, but this site has a pretty good stab at explaining it. It's a long read but worth it!

Interesting article, although I assume this is someone's interpretation. Some of it made sense but I thought some of it was a bit arty farty critic! I definately need to watch this film again.

slh73 · 17-02-2004, 16:34

Quote:

Originally posted by Foxxx
This site looks interesting, only I can't get past the first bit. Got to the bit where it shows you the news article about the hit and run, then you have to enter a name like a bird or something. I assumed it would be swallow (wasn't that grandma deaths name) but nothing happens. I can't continue if I go back to the main menu it won't let you into another level without a password.
Help!

Try again and use Sparrow this time, that was her name.

rarstar · 18-02-2004, 00:39

I just got this DVD to watch, and after reading this thread, I'm really excited about seeing it!

Hope I'm not dissapointed... hope it's not another Matrix 2!!!

Foxxx · 18-02-2004, 12:15

Quote:

Originally posted by slh73
Try again and use Sparrow this time, that was her name.

of course it was! duh! Cheers

Just tried again from the beginning but now it won't give me the option of level 1 active so I can't go back in to enter it and look at the article on the hit and run! Stupid site! So I tried level 2 active at the main menu and when prompted for a password, tried sparrow but it doesn't work. Ahhhhhhh!

Foxxx · 18-02-2004, 12:19

Ignore that, I'm being thick, it would help if I enlarged the screen and then level 1 option is there!!!!

angel_b · 18-02-2004, 17:19

The level one password is Sparrow, level two is smurf.

Reading the book on there (Philosophy of Time Travel by Roberta Sparrow) definitely makes things a little clearer, but I think the film was written/directed with personal interpretation in mind!

Foxxx · 18-02-2004, 18:00

Have done it now!

Enter Level 1 password is breathe gets you to level 2
Enter Level 2 password is rose gets you to level 3

sparrow, smurf, ling etc just give your more info!

Was cool, got to read stuff from grandma deaths book which helps explain alot.

kittykat · 19-02-2004, 21:35

They were selling it off for a fiver at that cheap bookshop at meadowhall near sainsburys today and after reading this topic i excitedly went up to the stand to purchase it as there is bugger all on TV tonight and low and behold the ones that were left were 'diaplay only' and theshelves behind were all empty. Grrrrrrrrr

angel_b · 19-02-2004, 21:58

HMV are doing it for £5.99, but it's the "no-frills" version. If you can fork out for the one with all the extras on, the director's commentary can help a bit with the understanding of the film.

hudu · 19-02-2004, 23:59

Frank is his gaurdian angel...Donnie makes him so.

Excellent film!

If you liked that...Try JACOBS LADDER!

Foxxx · 20-02-2004, 08:58

Loved Jacobs Ladder. Seen it a few times over the years. Won't give it away to those who haven't seen it though.