Donnie Darko. Explanation.

I really, really want to talk to someone about Donnie Darko, because my mate said it's shit today, and that him and his parents both agreed that they didn't see the point in it 'cause they didn't even understand it. So come on, don't be shy, talk.
IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, I RECCOMEND YOU DON'T READ BECAUSE THERE ARE SPOILERS.






Is it just me, or is it actually a really easy film to understand?
Granted, first time round I didn't really have a clue what was going on (then again I was about 11 or 12 the first time I watched it) but the second time I saw it, it all became a lot clearer.
But I watched it for the first time in about a year a couple of days ago, and suddenly the entire film is amazingly simple, once you get the whole concept of it.
It's based around the fake book by Roberta Sparrow, 'The Philosophy of Time Travel.'
The book says that:
"If a Tangent Universe occurs, it will be highly unstable, sustaining itself for no longer than several weeks."
For Donnie, no longer than several weeks until the world ends is 28 days.

"Water is the barrier element for the construction of Time Portals used as gateways between Universes at the Tangent Vortex. Metal is the transitional element for the construction of Artifact Vessels."

Metal is the "Artifact" that travelled through the time vessell, and Frank is often stuck behind a water element, a barrier between Frank and Donnie.

"When a Tangent Universe occurs, those living nearest to the Vortex will find themselves at the epicenter of a dangerous new world. Artifacts provide the first sign that a Tangent Universe has occured."

This is the link between the plane engine fallng into Donnie's room and the engine signifys that the Tangent Universe has begun. "Metal is the transitional element for the construction of Artifact vessels" - the engine is made of metal.

'The Philosophy of Time Travel' states about the artifact that "their appearance on Earth seems to defy logical explanation.".

In the film, nobody could figure out where the engine had come from, henceforth, no logical explanation.

"The Living Receiver is chosen to guide the Artifact into position for its journey back to the Primary Universe. No one knows how or why a Receiver will be chosen. The Living Receiver is often blessed with Fourth Dimensional Powers. These include increased strength, telekinesis, mind control, and the ability to conjure fire and water."

The "Living Receiever" in the film, is Donnie. Donnie floods the school (hence - water.) and sets fire to a house (hence - fire.)

The book goes on to state that "The Living Receiver is often tormented by terrifying dreams, visions and auditory hallucinations during his time within the Tangent Universe." This is where Frank (The 6 ft Bunny) comes into the equation.

"The Manipulated Dead are more powerful than the Living Receiver. If a person dies within the Tangent Dimension, they are able to contact the Living Receiver through the Fourth Dimensional Construct. The Fourth Dimensional Construct is made of Water."

Frank is the "Manipulated Dead". Frank died in the fourth dimension, shot in the face by Donnie (When Donnie asks about what happened to his eye, this is why Frank says "I'm sorry." The Bunny suit is Frank's halloween costume.), so Frank has contacted Donnie to try and make things right.

To clarify things a little more, the book states, "Ancient myth tells us the Mayan Warrior killed by an Arrowhead that had fallen from a cliff, where there was no Army, no enemy to be found. We are told of the Medieval Knight mysteriously impaled by the sword he had not yet built. We are told that these things occur for a reason."

To me, that made things a little clearer without giving a whole long explaination.


Finally, my friend said that the last line screwed the entire film, but to me, that line also clears the meaning of the film up.

The last line is, "Dear Roberta Sparrow, I have reached the end of your book and... there are so many things that I need to ask you. Sometimes I'm afraid of what you might tell me. Sometimes I'm afraid that you'll tell me that this is not a work of fiction. I can only hope that the answers will come to me in my sleep. I hope that when the world comes to an end, I can breathe a sigh of relief, because there will be so much to look forward to."

Donnie knows the exact second the world is going to end. However, the meaning of the world ending is not the world ending, but more the Tangent Dimension Donnie slipped into. Donnie realises through the film as he works out 'The Philosophy of Time Travel' that he isn't in the same reality as everybody else. When the world eventually ends, Donnie reenters the proper time continuum. He is sent back to the actual moment in which he dies. Donnie though he would "breath a sigh of relief" as he thought he could live the rest of his life, however, when we see Donnie begin to laugh he realises he's going to die, not live.

He made his way back, he experienced love, so he didn't have to die alone.

'The Philosophy of Time Travel' online actually clears a lot up, and I think if my friend took a bit of time to rewatch the film he'd actually begin to understand it.

Then again, I was always under the opinion that him and his parents are just ignorant.