Donnie Darko
Review number 7
As a psychology enthusiast, my first reactions to the movie were angst, awe and agreement. Similar are my final views… Please bear while I elaborate ;)
The movie is both a psychology and a scientific thriller. Donnie is an adolescent facing psychosis (departure from reality), and the movie builds around his issues. I felt anger because the movie brought to my notice, something I rarely realize otherwise – Certain evils and unhealthy mechanisms are so deeply rooted in every society, and, even every family, that uprooting them is next to impossible. Depressing school course (e.g. Stories that depict sadism), teachers’ rigidity, and, futile attempts of parents to reach out to their kids… It’s like fallbacks hitting you on face throughout the watch.
However, if one has the capacity to read between the lines, one can find both hope and solution(s). E.g. Drew Barrymore, the unconventional teacher, too, has unsolved stuff, issues plaguing her almost 24/7; yet, it’s her sense of direction and self-management that keeps her going.
I felt awe at the complexity of every character, and, the nature of hallucinations. It’s interesting the way Donnie’s genius is weaving a world different from reality, yet, falls back on theories of time-travel and human anatomy. In his young age!
I agree wherever the movie writer leaves problems as they are. An adolescent, IS, the loneliest of all. The protagonist weeps when his therapist mentions his loneliness, he is both guilty and comfortable about stopping his medication; feels a connection with the seemingly crazy old lady next door…
A teacher, just on her own; CANNOT bring about huge changes. Barrymore manages to get Donnie some company intuitively during the class… She shares her views with clarity… Yet… gets labelled as a failure.
No psychologist; and, no hypnotherapy can produce magical cures.
I’m still in dark regarding my understanding of what transpired between Donnie and his imagined (?) girlfriends. Still in dark if the producer means us to look deeper and realize that Donnie just knew everything… before time…
Interesting read!
ReplyDeleteSomehow, the movie was quite harassing, too!
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