Donnie Darko (2001)

I finally caught up with “Donnie Darko,” a cult-hit film that vibes and jolts like a David Lynch film made for the teen set. It’s an un-even film, prone to heavy-handed symbolism (a fired liberal teacher leaves her Catholic school employer, American flag in arms, and stumbles and nearly falls), but “Darko” has more on it’s mind than just booze, sex and rock n’ roll. And it has Katharine Ross, famous star of “The Graduate” and “Stepford Wives,” plus “Butch Cassidy.” Jake Gyllenhaal is Donnie, a troubled teen (he previously destroyed an empty home) smashing against parental authority, seeing a psychiatrist (Ross) as well as a man-sized bunny in a metal mask. Bunny says the world will end, soon. Director/writer Richard Kelly sets a lot of plates spinning, most successfully the one where the “crazy” teen may be the most sane, honest, person in the room. A brilliant take on real teens. Still, I got the feeling there was a good deal of footage and story on the cutting room floor. B