Jonathan ,'Lies My Parents Told Me'
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Well, given how much Kelly had to explain his plot outside of the movie to make anyone understand what he was trying to communicate, I can't really argue that he makes a lot of sense in general.
Having heard Kelly's commentary, I agree that the film doesn't necessarily explicitly say what he intended it to say, but to blow off the director's explanation in favor of a "repressed incest" explanation is just kind of wacky, IMO.
Can a movie be good, if it doesn't communicate the director's intentions?
I think so. In fact, the more I've heard about the director's intentions with Donny Darko, the more I'm glad I haven't seen his recut. It works better with a little mystery.
It's actually kind of amazing that the director set out to make a time travel/superhero sci-fi movie and ended up with a stylish and affecting tale of a teenager's descent into schizophrenia in that original theatrical cut. Usually when a movie gets out of the director's control, you end up with a pile of crap rather than a quality movie that's completely at odds with his intent.
Usually when a movie gets out of the director's control, you end up with a pile of crap rather than a quality movie that's completely at odds with his intent.
George Lucas almost pulled it off.
Word to both of you.
George Lucas almost pulled it off.
Which time?
That's what I'm wondering.
The first time, when it apparently wasn't what he meant to say, but fired up millions anyway.
I assumed you meant the first time.
You mean Star Wars, not American Graffitti?