Scattershot and bizarre but ultimately inspired, Donnie Darko may be the truest depiction on film of a troubled adolescent mind. Appropriately, that doesn’t mean it makes much sense. Jake Gyllenhaal gives an intuitive, unnerving performance as the title teen, who has visions of a malevolent, man-sized rabbit predicting the end of the world. Oh, and then a jet engine mysteriously crashes into the kid’s bedroom. More weirdness follows, but all of it feels perfectly plugged in to the craziness of adolescence. First-time writer-director Richard Kelly lets things spiral out of control near the end, but for the most part shows an assured feel for where to place and move the camera, as well as an ear for the perfect pop song.
