Frank is his FRIEND

On the list of the top ten existentialist films, there in lies Donnie Darko. The story of a lost and confused teenage boy diagnosed insane. The debate now is whether or not this movie actually represents the ideas within existentialism. I have to say that the existentialist ideals were poorly portrayed in the film. The existentialist ideals embody free choice and free will, while in the film, Donnie Darko was forced to follow his fate by the concept of time travel and pre determined fates (the weird looking bubble things that he follows around). Other concepts of existentialism include that there is no meaning in life other than what we determine, and that people create the overall meaning of their lives through their own actions.

This seems to be contradictory considering the entire movie is centered around Donnie's predetermined fate. His life is shaped by his relationship with Frank. The first example of Franks influence on Donnie's life is his first interaction with Frank, when the plane engine crushes Donnie's room, but Frank saves him, by telling him to follow him out of the house.

When Donnie travels back in time at the very end of the film, he knows that not following Frank will kill him, and spare him all of his suffering, so he chooses to suffer his fate. Many would vouch for Donnie Darko when it comes to existentialist films, however I would have to disagree.

donnie darko

The novel The Plague by Albert Camus shows how the meaning of existentialism can be reflected with a boring town, a lot of bland people and of course a plague. The habits the habitants of Oran fall into show how people do things without consciously thinking. I guess that makes sense, but wouldn’t that just leave room to think about other things while doing another task. But then the plague comes and they continue with their daily life until they are forced to change. Rieux is one character that looks at the situation with logic, which makes sense, so I like him the best. Instead of trying to relate how God is responsible like Paneloux, he has to tell himself that the death of a child was due to the plague and improper protection from the sickness. He’s kinda like Donnie in that sense too. And lady death is creepy.

Donnie Darko and Rieux

Although Donnie Darko and The Plague are stories separated by nearly fifty years, the existentialist view does come through in both. In both, death is the every looming factor that the characters struggle against. It is the inevitable end that none of the characters are willing to accept. From Donnie to Rieux, everyone is trying their best to escape the fate that seems to be handed to them, simply by not believing that it has to do with fate. This is where much of the existentialism comes out, as the characters work to make things in their lives happen rather than sit back and watch. There is no God, there is no predestination. There is only a person and the decisions he or she makes daily that moves the world forward. Rieux will not accept that people are inevitably dammed for their sins, working endlessly to save as many as he can, while Donnie will not settle for allowing the people he cares about to be killed. Donnie has the extraordinary chance to see what is to come before the life changing decision must be made, a luxury Rieux is never given, which may have to do with the gap in time between the writing of the two stories, but the basic line of their lives is very similar. Creating their own meaning, they value life, and will do everything they can to stop it from being doomed to death.

Donnie Darko

Simply put, existentialism could not have been more perfectly displayed with the evolving and devolving story of Donnie Darko. The story builds with the choices of Donnie makes. This is special only because a subconscious potential future (if that makes sense) leads him through a winding road of choices. This is really what existentialism is all about. To some it may appear that Donnie has experienced mental corruption, but to him, he is breaking his natural tendencies and seeing where it leads. I think this movie talks about the potential of existentialism and how the choices you make can alter your own existence and the existence of others around you. Instead of Donnie simply dying, he experiences where his life would have gone had he not gotten crushed.

Donnie and Cottard

I would like to blog on the similarities of Donnie and Cottard. I would like to point out that both of these men thrive in situations that most people would collapse in. Donnie thrives through his insanity. During his insanity he developes a meaning ful relationship, exposes a famous sleezball for what he really is and ultimately decides to travel back in time to save multiple lives. Cottard also thrives in not so normal circumstances. During the time of the plauge Cottard starts to thrive, he starts to make a profit and enjoy his life. I think the link between these two men is the fact that they do more then survive their time of trial, the thrive in it. thrive.

Plague

Throughout the book the Plague, I continue to be infatuated with the character Tarrou. I feel that there is much mystery to his character and his experiences. His obsession with the death penalty is intriguing, although I feel that the background on his father should be more in depth. The plot of this section is a little confusing to me, but it is interesting that Tarrou feels that death is in his hands and that he is almost at fault. Raymond Rambert on the other hand projects as a more comedic character for me. I feel it's almost comical that he cannot escape the town. Yes, it's sad that he is separate from his wife, but everyone else is in the same boat. There is no reason that he should have special privileges. In love or not, that's just the way it is. It would be too much of a threat to the town for him to leave. Regardless, I think he is sneaky enough to get away. I'm interested to see the approach that him and Gonzales come up with. In conclusion, I don't necessarily enjoy reading this book. I feel that it is repetitive and slow. There's not much context or new plot events, it's just the same events over and over again. Maybe that is a metaphoric throw on the novel, suggesting that the plague is just a slow painful process. It repeats itself through its prevalence and continues.

Donnie Darko vs. The Plague

Existentialism circles around the concept that existence precedes essence. Basically, some form of deity or higher being isn't in control of your life and happenings, but you are. You are in control of giving your life meaning and setting its course. Donnie Darko is an existentialist film in that Donnie isn't happy with the way his life is going (consistent re-occurences of his "friend" Frank, the death of his girlfriend etc..) so he sets out to change it. Apart from this he begins to question the happenings of daily life: why am I doing this? Who am I doing it for? According to existentialism, you are supposed to find your own meaning in life. Donnie discovers that life in suburbia isn't fulfilling his "purpose." Similarly in Albert Camus' The Plague, Rieux and the townspeople of Oran learn that in order to avoid their seemingly pre-destined plan (dying of the plague) they must take matters into their own hands (sanitation squads etc..) and at least try to fight the grim outcome.