Donnie Darko is a much-loved cult sci-fi film.
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Its telling that, as the movie opens, the first shot of Donnie sees him utterly alone.
Donnie Darkos opening five minutes are a showcase for Richard Kellys economical storytelling.
The town of Middlesex lies nestled among green hills and pine trees.
Theres Donnies father, blowing the autumn leaves from his beautifully manicured lawn.
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Against this pristine backdrop, Donnie stands out as an anomaly.
Hes hostile to his mother and distant at school.
He walks in his sleep and wakes up in strange places.
Interestingly, Kelly doesnt depict the cliques were used to seeing in most high school movies.
We dont see jocks and nerds fenced off in their individual groups.
Kelly wroteDonnie Darkowhen he was just 23.
Its this unedited and honest approach to writingDonnie Darkothat makes the finished film Kellys feature debut so resonant.
Kelly finds a fantastical way to depict what every youngster eventually faces: the looming reality of adulthood.
If youre lucky, like Donnies Harvard-bound sister (Maggie Gyllenhaal), the future can look inviting.
Or worse, like an apocalypse.
Darko,which Kelly had nothing to do with.
This, fittingly, brings me full circle.
To regardDonnie Darkoas a puzzle to be solved is to miss the powerful humanity in its drama.
