Donnie Darko Essay

Analytical Task: Compare the impact and effectiveness of two promotional methods used by one film
In this essay I will analyse and compare the impact and effectiveness of two promotional methods by one film: Donnie Darko. Donnie Darko is a relatively low-budget sci-fi drama which is considered a cult-classic by many critics and was co-produced by Pandora Cinema and Flower Films. It stars a relatively young, and then unknown, Jake Gyllenhaal – and documents his difficult adolescence and significant love interest with co-star Jena Malone. I will be exploring the key media conventions of the film’s promotional material with particular focus on the representation of specific social groups and using media theorists and philosophers to analyse the
Often shown in a continuous bizarre and confused mind state, even seen as sinister at some points and has a foreboding atmosphere throughout the trailer; this may be seen as a stereotype of depressed teenagers who hates their life. He is represented as a teenage anti-hero, because he ends up saving the day and sacrificing himself for everyone including everyone he loves but also because his name suggests this therefore is subverting the hero stereotype. The representation of Donnie Darko's parents are represented and stereotyped as American parents who are lost and confused with their family. At the same time are sympathetic and want to help but Very simplistic and get confused easily, especially when it comes to what professionals say about their family. The representation of teenagers in a classroom is represented and stereotyped by how teenagers are disenfranchised from education and rather depressed at school. The representation of Darko's girlfriend Gretchen in the film is very different from many other movies representation of young women and their relationships as she is quite a strong willed character who is willing to help Donnie therefore making her a heroine of sort and subverts the usual stereotype of women being