DARKO and DIRECTING

[GREATwarEAGLE]

I remember a while back there was a thread here about DONNIE DARKO but it's gone.

When the film came out I heard very little about it at first. It didn't seem like anything special. It kinda came and went. But I did notice that here in New York it did play on weekends at midnight, like ROCKY HORROR. Cult. But I still didn't go to see it.

The only critical mention I noticed was the thread that was here, and an aspiring actor friend of mine who said Gyllenhal(sp?) was good in it.

So last night, my roommate rented it. I watched it, expecting typical sci-fi spfx garbage.

What a pleasant surprise. More of a dark comedy-drama than sci-fi. And the film did linger in my mind. Not the confusing plot. Not the time travel. Not the sci-fi aspect. Not it's message(whatever it is). Not necessarily the plot and subject matter, but the craft, and how the subject was handled. The directing. Especially that of the actors. Just about everyone. And when an ensemble cast puts in a good performance-they didn't just all happen to act well. They were directed well. Despite serious and sometimes morbid subject matter, every actor maintained a sense of humor. And that's all due to the director.

In another thread here there was discussion of learning from reading books vs. watching films. I voiced how I thought reading was extremely important and not to be ignored, but I wasn't pressing it to be exclusive.

I think watchin DARKO is a good learning experience. Especially for directing. The actors as well the pace, rhythm and structure of the scenes and sequences. Like FORT APACHE THE BRONX and BREAD AND ROSES, two other films where practically the entire cast shines, it indicates good directing. Reminding us that it's not just about camera placement and movement.

I'd like to write more but I gotta go now. I'll probably add more later. And I know this film is kinda old news by now. But because I just watched it and was so surprised it exceeded my expectations, it's something I feel like discussing. But if no one else does - that's fine.

I'm usually turned off by the threads here about film appreciation. Like the posts about ten favorite this and that. But I think theres stuff to be learned from this film, by supporting opinions, which is what this forum is more about - learning - not just casual film appreciation.

[untamed_aggression]

maybe I'll get around to watching it now. I've had it for months [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Patriarch]

hehe... me to.. had it for months.. havent seen it.

Havent read the post above.. does it contain spoliers? Bare in mind I only know its about some strange dude, and a rabit

[Generic Skinhead]

Geez...

How earth have you avoided the film for this long? The title was enough for me.

It's a very good movie, a tad overrated but hey. At film school it's everybodys favourite, i guess the kind of movie everyone wants to make...it has that inherent effect on people. The kind of movie cod intellectuals like to discuss over budget coffee and french toast in mysterious out of the way cafes. To that effect there was some guy on here ranting about it as a masterpiece a while ago, war eagle. The movie will (has) become cult viewing among filmmakers,and more demanding sci fi geeks. It was Total Film's movie of the year-maybe because its choice just screams credible, but it was up there. However, lets remember the movie was an absolute flop both in the states and europe- something some people attribute to moron cinema goers and something I attribute to lack of a proper ending/bad marketing/poor distribution.

But for a first time writer director its a wonderful start. His next movie will be crucial though. Lets hope he doesnt become David Lynch or something.

[GREATwarEAGLE]

Poor ending. I agree. Too bad. But everything before the finale is just amazing.

Another recent film that, like Darko, came and went with hardly any marketing, and I believe the same year, is DINNER RUSH. Completely different subject matter, but very well directed and acted.
TBC...

[deanl]

Hey there.

I enjoyed Dinner Rush more than I did Donnie Darko.

Despin out.

[Kev Owens]

Donnie Darko is a great film, I wouldn't say it was a poor ending, just extremely weird and complicated- it doesn't spell anything out for you; you as the audience really have to think, and possibly watch it again to understand it! I loved the music at the end.

In a few years this film may get the credit it deserves, when they re-release it as a cult-classic.

If you have it on DVD get it watched!!! You'll kick yourself for waiting this long! [img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img]

[twister!]

But it's ALREADY had a HUGE amount of publicity and is ALREADY known as a cult classic.

Personally it didn't do a great deal for me but it did have some excellent moments - my favourites being the shot when Donnie arrives at school and gets out of the bus with the camera at 90 degrees and it rotates to follow him - and of course the last scene where it plays 'Mad World'.

[Kev Owens]

Hmm, well, as far as cult-classics go I'd say it's in the lower leagues. Notice that a lot of people have heard of it but have never seen it? I say a few years because by then it'll of been on TV, and have a much stronger cult following.

Huge amount of publicity?

I disagree. A huge amount nof publicity to me means something along the lines of Charlies Angels 2. Darko comes NOWHERE near that.

Darkos' only real publicity came from the raving critics' reviews of it and the festival buzz.

[twister!]

You're right - but I didn't mean huge publicity in terms of 'studio marketing spend' - I was referring to press coverage and critical acclaim. Maybe it got more here in London than eleswhere...