Donnie Darko - AP Psychology Film Analysis

AP Psychology
Film Analysis
Maury High School
2011 to 2012

Transcript

1. • Tangent Universe (alternate reality) • Primary Universe (actual reality) • Artifact (jet engine) • Living Receiver • Manipulated Dead • Manipulated Living Why Time Travel Theory Is SUPER Confusing
2. • Tangent Universe-TU (alternate reality): forms when theres a corruption in time & jet engine from future crashes through Donnie’s bedroom; will only last 28 days before it collapses and destroys itself & primary universe • Primary Universe-PU (actual reality): will be destroyed if Artifact is not returned • Artifact (jet engine): only way to prevent world destruction is to guide this back into primary universe through time portal because it has reason to exist & will close TU & restore PU • Living Receiver- Donnie: must guide jet engine back to primary universe with supernatural powers (increased strength & ability to conjure fire, water, & telekineses) • Manipulated Dead: anyone connected to Donnie who dies in TU; like Frank & have to help Donnie with his quest to return jet engine • Manipulated Living: anyone connected to Donnie who subconsciously aid Donnie to save Universe, which is why Gretchen is there to motivate Donnie to sacrifice himself to save Universe Why Time Travel Theory Is REALLY Confusing
3. Donnie is a schizo so film is him going through an episode of his illness Plausible theory because every single event could be put down to this Would explain Donnie’s hallucinations & hearing voices & Frank’s appearance ! HOWEVER, there is a scene with Donnie’s therapist at end of film where she admits to giving Donnie placebo’s as medication for his illness This would suggest that Donnie in fact never was a schizophrenic For me Richard Kelly put idea of Donnie being schizophrenic into movie deliberately as a red herring Easier alternative theory 1st time viewers can still enjoy movie Why Donnie is Schizophrenic
4. Why only 25% Accurate? • 4 possible theories according to fans 1. donnie is schizophrenic 2. whole movie is a dream 3. donnie is seeing the future 4. donnie is a time traveler • true theory, according to director, is #4 relates to “the philosophy of time travel” • we will be discussing #1 and #4
5. Theory of Schizophrenia • Whole film is Donnie g oing through epis odes of his illness • plausible theory because everything could amount to it • Would explain hallucinations, hearing voices, and Frank’s Appearance BUT • There is a scene at end of film where therapist admits to giving donnie placebo’s as medication for his schizophrenia, meaning that Donnie possibly never was a schizophrenic • Director probably put idea of Schizophrenia in movie to let 1st time viewers enjoy a easier explanation to everything
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8. • There are 4 Possible Explanations for this movie... only 1 of them involves mental illness. They are as follows: 1.Donnie has schizophrenia 2.Its all a dream 3.Donnie is being shown the future 4.Donnie is actually a time traveler • True explanation according to director is “The Philosophy of Time Travel” • We will only be discussing 2 of these theories- Schizophrenia and Time Travel Why only 5/10 for accuracy?