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Longer 'Donnie Darko' gives audience even more to ponder

By BOB LONGINO
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

With 21 minutes added, the director's cut of "Donnie Darko" is a different movie from the one fans have elevated to underground cult status since its 2001 debut. But the new "Darko" is just as marvelous as the old.

The longer film is still weird and mindblowing. It's still the bent tale of an eerily smart high school student (Jake Gyllenhaal) in 1988, a confused Holden Caufield-type struggling to figure out why everyone doesn't think the way he does. He's also beset with David Lynchian dreams and visions of a tall, monsterific rabbit. Our furry friend has a message for Donnie -- "Twenty-eight days, six hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. That is when the world will end" -- and entices him to do dastardly things in his sleep.

Newmarket Film Group 'Donnie Darko: Director's Cut' A The verdict: Still an inventive, smart and shocking head-banger of a movie. Director: Richard Kelly Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal and Jena Malone Run time: 133 minutes Release date: Aug. 27, 2004 Rating: R for profanity, some drug use and violence On the web Official movie site View the trailer   -- Trailers require Quicktime Rate "Donnie Darko Director's Cut":   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Director Richard Kelly's additions, some involving whole new scenes, set viewers on a more controlled path, focusing more on a strange scientific theory of time travel. Granted, it's a path fans of the original theatrical version might find a little too revealing, but one newcomers may well find enthralling, mesmerizing and twisty.

Fans have enjoyed arguing the director's intentions for years. Is it a film about alienation? Religion? Time travel? They will likely think Kelly's answering too many questions. But he's also added in more funny jokes, much-needed time with Donnie's dad (he virtually disappeared in the original theatrical cut) and enough time with Donnie's other family members to more fully underscore the emotional impact of the film's unexpected and compelling climax.

There's still plenty of the film's original charm and biting wit. Patrick Swayze plays a no-help self-help guru, and there's the school dance troupe Sparkle Motion just itching to make it to "Star Search."

Think of "Election," "Being John Malkovich," "Fargo" or "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

Like them, "Darko" is out there in the farthest reaches of the noggin. It's also the kind of film Hollywood can't sell. Lucky for us, it sells itself.