Donnie Darko Movie Response

Donnie Darko

Movie Response

One of the most profound scenes in Donnie Darko, is the final scene when Donnie has successfully traveled back in time and lies in his bed, allowing the jet engine that falls from the sky to crush him. This scene was so profound to me, because I found it so inconceivable that Donnie would welcome this fate. In fact, he didn't just welcome it, Donnie laughed in the face of his tragic death. 

So, what gives? How was he able to just accept this death?

Well, this scene reminded me of a previous encounter between Donnie and his counselor, in which she had said to him "if the sky were to suddenly open up (which it very well did), there would be no law, there would be no rule. There would only be you and your memories." Initially, Donnie feared not only death, but the thought of dying alone, as Frank, the really creepy bunny-man thing, had told him that "every living creature dies alone." At the end of the film, however, when Donnie was back in his bed, it was clear that he did not feel alone. While he laid there laughing to himself, Donnie was remembering the experiences he had had, and the connections he had made with people; namely his girlfriend. 

Donnie was able to accept his death once he took to heart the words that his counselor shared with him, and also when he realized the good that would come out of his untimely demise. 

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