Very occasionally you see a film and it blows your head off. Fresh and new, you cannot wait to see more films from the same director and writer. Such was the case when I first saw the truly original and brilliant Donnie Darko. Safe to say I am not going to be talking about the amazing story here, but suffice to say that when I first watched the film ten minutes before the end I made them stop the film so I could announce I had no idea what was happening, or how on earth the film would end. But ten minutes later I was the happiest I have been in years. Director and writer Richard Kelly, with this, his first film, has raised the bar for what cinema can attempt, but more importantly, that you do not have to treat your audience as if they are all thick. For so long, filmmakers and studios have been attempting very formulaic movies, but with the death of independent cinema in the States, there have been far less cinema coming out that actually make you work while you are watching it. The cast, which includes producer Drew Barrymore in a cameo, all give powerhouse performances, but especially Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie. Seemingly turning up from nowhere, even if you remove the whole ‘losing his mind’ aspect of Donnie, it is still one of the best portrayals of the confused teenager ever. You believe Donnie would get on very well with Holden Caulfield in Salinger’s ‘The Catcher in the Rye’. Also great is Jena Malone as his love interest. Ever since I saw her in her first film ‘Bastard out of Carolina’, I knew she was going to be a huge talent but she just keeps getting better and better and seems totally incapable of giving a fake performance. All in all, if you haven’t seen this instant classic already, you owe it to yourself to get up to date and see one of the best films made in the last five years. You will not be disappointed. And if you are, go back to the action section. There is a lot there to keep you happy. This film is for those who want an amazing movie. This rocks.