Jake Gyllenhaal celebrates the Donnie Darko 20th anniversary by sharing photos of the script and other cool artifacts. Written and directed by Richard Kelly, in his directorial debut, the film was released in January 2001. It starred Gyllenhaal as the title character, who struggles to make sense of his doomsday visions.
The sci-fi thriller has experienced a reversal in its fortunes. Considered a box office disappointment upon its release, the movie has since seen a steady growth in its popularity to the point where the Honest Trailer for Donnie Darko jokes about the film’s obnoxious fans. In the ensuing years, Darko devotees have poured over their favorite quotes and have shared their theory about the script’s true meaning. Gyllenhaal, in a new social media post, has reflected on what his breakout role means to him.
To commemorate the Donnie Darko 20th anniversary, Gyllenhaal shared photos of his copy of the film’s script on Instagram. Along with some cool artifacts, the photos offer a window into highlighted script lines that the actor might have wanted to memorize. And, in the caption itself, it’s obvious what Donnie Darko means to Gyllenhaal as he credits the movie with changing his life and career. You can check out the post below.
Gyllenhaal’s words are a clear indication of why Donnie Darko has endured for two decades, in spite of its humble beginnings. Kelly’s world rewards rewatches on a number of different levels. For fans who view the sci-fi classic as primarily a mystery to be solved, there’s more than a few interpretations for how the story unfolds. Other viewers, who are drawn to the drama inherit in Donnie Darko, will likewise be able to appreciate the blend of cynicism and optimism anchored by Gyllenhaal’s singular performance. The actor notes that newer and younger audiences continue to discover Donnie’s journey all the time. And, in the long run, the film has made a far greater impact than it would have had it been an initially successful but ultimately forgotten box office hit. Donnie Darko’s cult status, and the promise of seeing a relatively early moment in Gyllenhaal’s career, has ensured its place among movie aficionados.
Though he’s grown into a uniquely charismatic performer in the past two decades, the sci-fi saga provides a useful guide for the characters which Gyllenhaal tends to favor. Even when he’s playing a villain in a superhero movie, as was the case when he appeared as Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home, the actor’s most indelible portrayals tend to come complete with a distinctly weird edge. Although, watching him back then, as Donnie Darko, few would have guessed that the role would launch him into superstardom.
Source: Jake Gyllenhaal