Donnie Darko

The film Donnie Darko was a continuous example of symbolic uses of light and dark.The cinematographer or D.P. is the person responsible for lighting and its effects on the viewer.Lighting may be used to direct the audiences eye to any area of the film;any person, any vista,any movement taking place on the screen, every frame is considered and adjusted for lighting.All colors,shapes,and also textures, reflect and absorb varying amounts of light.A number of different styles of lighting exist and are geared to the genre of film.Light and dark lighting convey symbolic significance, with darkness suggesting fear, evil and sinister intent.The use of light may be used to suggest to the viewer feelings of security,virtue,truth and joy.Donnie Darko used low-key lighting in several scenes,perhaps to lend a visual display into the mind of a schizophrenic when non-compliant with their medication regimen.The sardonic bunny,a manifestation of Donnie disease ,was low-lit through out the film, perhaps suggesting the characters' evil intent.Lighting may be used realistically or as is the case in Donnie Darko;expressionistically.How better to illustrate the mind of a schizophrenic, one who sees visions and hears voices,than with the use of darkness, or low-lighting to enhance the darkness of the experience of hallucinations for the audience.With what I have learned this week about cinema,I believe this movie adheres to the formalistic style,utilizing less light,and the distortion of natural light patterns to tell its story.