SFW: Thanks for the link to the “The Destructors” I had not read it in awhile and wanted to refresh!

To get a little philosophical here. The director’s commentary on the longer version of the scene: Donnies first meeting with Frank. That this movie (to him – the director) is about an act of divine intervention; he cut the scene short so as not to hit the audience over the head with the religious aspects of Frank as a messenger. I think he calls ‘frank’ a ‘voice’. He states he wanted to leave more mystery to the audience’s own interpretation as too what ‘the voice’ is..and what's behind it. And remember what Donnie says when held on the ground by the knife as Franks car is coming in the distance. He says “Deus Ex Machina” and then says “Our Savior." DEM from Latin translates “A God from machine” as in a person or thing that appears or is introduced suddenly and unexpectedly and provides a solution to an apparently insoluble difficulty.

The director used two choices of literature for the film: “The Destructors’ and ‘Watership Down’ (WD being a cut scene). Used I think for tone and hints that can be found in each of foreshadowing.

I think he chose Green’s short story partly for it’s tone and connivance as a plot tool. As a plot tool it has a ‘flood’ (perfect for the scene based on …look what happens when kids read this trash and then emulate it) and the ominous issue going on which serves to echo the movies mystery of whether or not what is happening is destructive or creative. (the creation of a task given to the ‘gang’ of ‘tearing the house down’ methodically by a quiet unfathomable kid). Donnie when asked by his Lit teacher says its ironic that the boys burn the money and that destruction is a form of creation and they want to change things.

The book is used in the plot to take the heat off Donnie possible exposure as a vandal. At exactly the moment that the Gym Teacher/Coach manages to sidetrack the entire emergency PTA ‘who flooded the school’ meeting with her hysterical invective’s concerning ‘pornography in our school’. Frank tells Donnie in the bathroom, “Don’t worry, you got away with it”.

I think Donnie chooses to create by his own destruction. This allows the return to and the continuation of the primary universe’s timeline. Enabling his family/friends/ neighbors/tangent girlfriend and acquaintances to follow the ‘track’ they should normally have been on. Remember ‘CHUT UP’ I think it’s a sweet touch. When he takes her face in his hands and promises that things will be better for her in the future. He knows if doesn’t die…she has no future…and no prospect of leaving the taunts and cruelty of HS behind.

And Jason…part of above relates to your issues but I have to work at least a couple of hours…will come back… But what about the ‘rule’ in this movie versions of the physics behind TU and time travel. If the tangent universe is not closed than the primary universe will be destroyed also. (All life (both timelines) – into the black hole vortex).


[This message has been edited by Smart Little Lena (edited November 06, 2002).]