Donnie Darko (2001)

While I've always loved this film, I would not have given it five stars after my first viewing. Probably not after the second or third either. This cult classic eventually became an obsession of mine, as it has with so many people, and I've finally understood why (I think). I spent the last two weeks re-watching and dissecting every moment of this film in order to make an insightful video essay explaining the unexplainable. Donnie Darko proved to be a challenge but with time I've come to the realization that this is the greatest coming-of-age superhero origin story ever. A superhero story where the villain and hero are the same punk teenager. A movie about time travel and God. Considering it's production I really enjoy the soundtrack, the acting is great, and the cinematography is memorable. While the editing may seem funky in directors cut, I blame it on the amount of money Richard Kelly had to make his dream work. I'm positive he wasn't able to do everything he imagined.

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