the new cut

Richard Kelly's DONNIE DARKO has become an obsession among many kids my age. Word-of-mouth spread after its initial art house release, and once it made its way to DVD it worked its way to cult status. Three years after its initial release, Kelly puts his Director's Cut out into [very select] theaters.

There are a few song choices that change (most noticeably in the opening where he rides his bike home-- the song in the original release always felt a little *off*, here the tone matches much nicer). A few shots are left out-- two of which I wished had been left in. The visual addition of superimposed fireworks to one key sequence is quite stunning. The most prevalent of all the changes, though, is the addition of excerpts from the book in the film, "Philosophy of Time Travel," displayed dominantly on screen. Some question the necessity of these. Necessary? I don't know, but I enjoyed the element they added to the film, and they are placed rather eloquently.

One change, though, I did question. It is one line of dialogue which negates one way you could have interpreted this story originally. I will not say what it is. It does not ruin the film at all, it merely detracts from one aspect which I had enjoyed about the theatrical cut. Suffice it to say, it bothers me, but there is not much of an issue to have with it. I move passed it completely, and loved this cut.

The greatest gift Kelly gives to his audience in his cut is the added scenes revolving solely around the characters. In these scenes, the denseness of the plot takes a back seat to genuine character study and great dialogue. There is a scene that is added between Donnie and his father, for example, that is just beautifully done. There is more with the mother, and with Barrymore's teacher as well. Considering Donnie's final decision is based on his compassion and love for all these people, it is truly a gift that we are given more opportunities to get to care for them as well.

The Director's Cut, pound for pound, is the better version. It is as powerful, poignant, and memorable as the first cut, only... polished.