Donnie Darko doesnt get along too well with his family his teachers and his classmates but he does manage to find a sympathetic friend in Gretchen who agrees to date him. He has a compassionate psychiatrist who discovers hypnosis is the means to unlock hidden secrets. His other companion may not be a true ally. Donnie has a friend named Frank - a large bunny which only Donnie can see. When an engine falls off a plane and destroys his bedroom Donnie is not there. Both the event and Donnies escape seem to have been caused by supernatural events. Donnies mental illness if such it is may never allow him to find out for sure.
Review
I first saw this on cable tv. Thumbing through the channels I stopped just as Donnie Darko was beginning. I thought the title was weird and readied my thumb on the remote channel selector...pointed it at the TV...and it stayed there for the rest of the movie! I couldnt stop watching! Ive never seen a movie like this. The movie has a beautiful aspect (especially the end). And there are a few chuckles as well. Contrary to the more critical commentary there is depth and complexity to the story that kind of requires you to see it more than once. Im no genius but what I gathered the basis of Donnie Darko to be is about our part in the deliberate DESIGN of our destiny and I catch more each time I watch it.
Regardless of anything sincere thought and expression went in to the making of Donnie Darko. Mixed with skill and technical ability Art.
A WORK OF ART! In the top 100 movies of all time in my opinion.