Movie Poster

Why are you wearing that stupid bunny suit?

Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?

# Review

In this moody cult film, Jake Gyllenhaal plays the eponymous troubled teenager who gets mysterious visions of Frank (James Duval), a figure in a rabbit costume who fortells the end of the world in 28 days.

I first watched this as a teenager and the film's coming-of-age teenage drama and sci-fi story really resonated with me. Rewatching the film as an adult, the coming-of-age does come off as a tad corny, but the sci-fi elements still hit. The blurring of reality and delusion is expertly executed and the time traveling element is pretty interesting. The cinematography mixes ominous slow-motion, almost dreamlike camera moves which make even mundane scenes feel slightly off and surreal. I also really liked the film's soundtrack which featured the likes of Duran Duran and Joy Division, I especially liked the melancholic cover of "Mad World" by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews.

Gyllenhaal nails the wry but vulnerable Donnie while the supporting cast, which includes Maggie Gyllenhaal's Elizabeth, Beth Grant's Mrs. Farmer, and Jena Malone's Gretchen, all add texture to the story.

# Conclusion

A fantastic coming-of-age story but I would avoid the Director's Cut on first watching.

# Overall rating: 8.0

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