Donnie Darko †Detailed Summary Essay

Donnie Darko is an intelligent, yet delirious and emotionally-ill teenager, whos idealistic fantasy of correcting the wrongs in parliamentary law, last appears possible in a suntan universe (an imaginative reality), where he is guided by an fanciful friend turn over, who appears as a malefic giant bunny in Donnies day-time hallucinations.In the early stages of the film, discourteous literally lures Donnie from reality and introduces him to a burn universe where Donnie observes what wouldve been, (yet ultimately is) his stimulate death in reality, where he is crushed by a plummeting airliner railway locomotive that crashes through with(predicate) the roof of his ho implement directly above his bedroom where he sleeps. In the tan reality though, he is merely a bystander, discompose and frightened by the calamity of the aftermath, as he returns home the dawning subsequent to the disaster. He realizes that his long sleep-walk adventure the anterior night, (Summoned by Fran k) had ensured the evasion of his death.The viewer is initially under the impression that Frank is a harvest-time of Donnies disturbed and inventive sub-conscious, as he is but a vehicle to allow Donnies crucifyions to express themselves through acts of desecration. In legion(predicate) ways, Frank seems to take advantage of Donnies mental state by coercing him to perpetrate crime. Yet Donnie appears to advocate his own actions, indicating his intentions for societal change, reformation, and also for society he fears the prospect of dying alone, in which case, Frank is an ally who hindquarters assist Donnie in coping with his emotional struggles and hardships.The fact that Donnies mental condition is later classified as paranoid schizophrenia by Dr Thurman (Donnies psychiatrist), would appear as an another(prenominal) viable theory or impression, for the viewer to follow. However, it proves not as strong. The reason being, is that the initial or aforementioned(prenominal) t heory supports the films noteworthy theme that destruction is a form of creation (an idea propagated by Donnies secondary literacy teacher, Mrs. Pomeroy), whereas the last mentioned is a shallow, yet logical conclusion that isnt glaringly in keeping with any underlying messages of the film itself.Later in the film, the tangent universe allows for the discovery of Frank, as an authentic person, who is murdered by Donnie as he is directly responsible for a fatal car cerebrovascular accident involving Donnies much- adored tangent girlfriend, Gretchen. This enlightens us as to the reason for Franks contact with Donnie. Frank has cash in ones chipsed back through time, to in-turn open a port-hole to Donnies future and enable Donnie to view aspects of his life-time frontward as a series of visual manifestations, (ie post airliner engine catastrophe).In doing this, he informs Donnie that Armageddon will arrive in twenty-eight days, which conveniently serves as a manipulative motive to aid his elemental objective To deter Donnie in continuing his life in reality in the entrust that Franks life will be sp bed.At this shoot for in the film, the recurring theme of time travel claims its stronghold, regardless of previous acknowledgements and inferences. For instance, in one particular scene Frank implies he is from the future, and in numerous others, Donnie is seen eagerly researching and discussing theoretical revelations, pertaining to the philosophy of time travel. Evidently though, these scenes and others, such as the Frank-influenced despoilment of Donnies school and the arson of a pamper perverts house, illustrate critical stages of Donnies inner journey that is, from a let down teenager, troubled by the folly of mainstream attitudinal beliefs, to an individual who transcends reality in line of battle to subsist in an idealistically superior society, of his own invention.After twenty-seven days of endeavor through outrageous public displays and cla ndestine defilement, the foretold event of Armageddon looms near. Donnie ambles through the final moments of his tangent existence (inner journey), as his extension-defining tenacious dynamism begins to fade. As expected, he assumes his fatalistic mentality of all living things have a set elbow room, and that humans are merely vessels traveling along beau ideals channel, gradually nearing a pre-determined destination. At this stage, Donnies mindset suggests a search for spiritual soothe and religious meaning.Whilst denying an utterly defeatist outlook, Donnie exerts a courageous exterior by modestly welcoming his fate, in the confide that there will be so much to look previous to. He is of course referring to a reformed humanity that is devoid of inadequacy, decadency and suppression.It is here, that the film takes an unexpected turn, whereby Donnies inner journey in the tangent universe is virtually thwarted due to the sub-conscious acknowledgement of an audible phrase, pri mitively voiced by his late girlfriend, Gretchen. It is part of her conjecture of emotional solace What if you could go back through time, and replace all those hours of pain and tail with something better?At this point, Frank uses his god-like essence to summon Donnie in reality, assuming that hed been subjected to enough to be dissuaded, and, much to the viewers astonishment, Donnie awakes in bed, hysterically laughing in awe and disbelief of his dream. Whilst conscious, he remembers the tangent dreams of pain and anguish, including Gretchens death, and the murder of Frank, and decides that his future should be exculpate from more emotional suffering.Donnie opts to conclude his inner journey heroically, by fashion of self-sacrifice that is, to allow the plummeting airliner engine to destroy him, thus ensuring an extended life for his beloved female tangent counterpart, Gretchen.The film Donnie Darko is significant to the theme of imaginary journey as it details a persons d ark epigrammatic voyage into the future, and consequent development of emotional alteration.Director Richard Kelly uses the character Donnie as a representation of idealistic thought inherent in society. It is no undisclosed fact that society itself, is pervaded by thoughts and ideals that are in contrast with expected societal opinion. Kelly hints at the notion that we are industrious in the journey of life, yet our propulsion is suppressed somewhat, by the required need to conform to societys bounds and restrictions thus society would seem to preclude humans from achieving their primary goal(s) or concluding their journeys. in like manner intertwined with this perception, is the suggestion of the faade of human nature. Kelly suggests it is unnatural for veritable human contention to be constrained, hence the rationale of life-long journeys that are embarked upon to discover a perceive of self.Donnies self discovery is shown through his sacrifice for Gretchen. Whilst on his im aginary journey, Donnie identifies with her troubled emotions and sinister background of family trauma. He discovers a person remarkably similar to himself, so his sacrifice in essence could be perceived as an effort of self-preservation as he was intent on ensuring continuity of his spirit within a physical entity other than himself. This is a viable interpretation, relevant to a reflective inner journey, as it is a primary motive for initial commitment to the journey itself.Kelly realizes that Donnies journey is exceedingly implausible and unrealistic. Without detracting from the intended solemnity, it seems a feat such as Donnies could only be surmounted by a philosophical super-hero with visionary powers. Kelly deliberately captures the fervent yet slightly nave central vision of Donnies ideological expectations in the films title, and in Donnies heroic bravado. Nonetheless, he encourages provocation of thought and motivational urge on our set path in life, or inner journey.T he reason being is that humans are inclined to stray from reality, if indeed there is an absence of true proceeding in their existence. By this, Kelly infers that an inner journey is necessary to undergo, as it induces incontinency and contributes to the conservation and perpetuation of ones psyche.Director Richard Kelly uses the medium of time travel to typify the eternal human endeavor/journey in Donnie Darko. I use eternal, because we yearn for such an easy method as time travel to reveal future outcomes and destinations, yet we are simultaneously disenchanted by its obviousimpracticalities.Kelly expresses his interpretation of fatalism via liquid spears, which consist of water and metal, and appear as a cylindrical protrusion from a humans chest. In the scene known as the liquid spear waltz, (tangent universe), Donnie in his hallucinatory state, sees these spears connected to the chests of his friends and family. He observes that the individual always follows the path of the spear, to their immediate destination.For example, Donnies spear leads him to the fridge on one occasion, whilst he was thirsting for a drink. He wouldve made that same trip even if the spear wasnt there.Furthermore, the inclusion body of mystical activity in the film, such as the liquid spear, adds to the surrealism of the tangent universe, reinforcing the imaginary focus of Donnies journey. Kelly has portrayed the same dream-like melodic phrase via other medium also.For example, many of the tangent universe scenes are in slow-motion, and take from an aerial perspective. This informs the viewer of the simulation of the tangent universe, whilst creating a mystic atmosphere and mood.Finally, Kellys concept of fatalism may well be perceived as a mere scapegoat for human failure, yet such a perception would be grossly incorrect.He emphasizes that we shouldnt knowingly inhibit ourselves because we travel on a set path in life. If anything, a pre-determined future should provide motiv ation, and encourage one take advantage of periodical opportunities and prospects.After all, we are oblivious as to when exactly, our journey of life shall ultimately cease.