Released in 2001 with little fanfare and even less of a marketing budget, Donnie Darko came and went virtually unnoticed. It's easy to see why the film didn't become a box-office titan, what with its competition including such generation-defining films as The Fast and the Furious and Pearl Harbor. Still, for movie-goers who look for more than explosions and exposed breasts in their films, there is a niche for Donnie Darko to fill.

Mighty Morphin Atmosphere
One problem the makers of DD must have run into when selling this film to audiences is describing the plot, or even the genre. Is it a science-fiction/horror flick? A teen-angst drama? An extended 80's new-wave video? The film certainly has all of these elements in it: there's a doom-spouting demonic rabbit, a depressed, social-outcast teen lead, and a slew of 80's hits. Still, with a plot that's both dense and ingenious, the film defies strict classification, and makes a short, concise explanation nearly impossible to relate without giving away too much of the film.

More easily conveyed is the morphing atmosphere of the film, ranging from creepy and brooding to satirical and funny. Yes, the film is dark, but the light moments never allow it to become too oppressively glum.

Bubble Boy Redemption
While Donnie Darko has a few name-actors in small, key roles, including Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, and Noah Wyle, the lead role is played by relatively unknown Jake Gyllenhaal (please don't hold the fact that he also starred in Bubble Boy against him... his performance in DD will help erase that embarrassment). Gyllenhaal plays the awkward and morose Donnie Darko, and plays the part perfectly. His character is understated, and just a bit goofy, and it all meshes beautifully with the rich environment created by rookie director/writer Richard Kelly. Kelly's work, which seamlessly bleeds from quirky comedy to lush music video to foreboding drama, brings a difficult script to life, and leaves the attentive viewer both satisfied and just a tad bit confused. It demands multiple viewings to fully enjoy the rich story and all the nuances Kelly inserts into the film.

Donnie Darko is currently available on VHS and DVD. The DD DVD has the usual bells and whistles, including commentary from the director and actors, and a video for the Gary Jules cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World", a cover which is in many ways superior to the original. Still, the appeal for owning this film is not the extras, but the film itself. It's one to own and go back to repeatedly, especially when you ever start feeling that Hollywood is just putting out garbage. There are quality films out there, but sometimes it takes a bit of searching through all the explosions and breasts to find one of this quality.