IT'S HARDLY surprising that Garry Jules and Michael Andrews's version of Mad World shot to number one.

As anyone who has seen Donnie Darko will have discovered for themselves, it's incredibly catchy and poignant - rather like the film itself.

But there's a lot more to Donnie Darko than a great soundtrack - although fans of 80s music will be in heaven - and even if you're one of the few people who doesn't love the song, don't let that put you off seeing the movie.

The film centres on quirky high school student Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), who has an imaginary giant rabbit friend, who saves his life, then the world is going to end and orders him to commit acts of violence.

Donnie is having a rough time of it already, without seeing six-foot bunnies - he is already in therapy, hysteria is creeping through his school and all the authority figures around him want to simplify everything in life to opposites of right/wrong, good/bad.

The film suggests that there may be a simple explanation for the bizarre things that Donnie sees and experiences - hinting at schizophrenia - but director Richard Kelly is deliberately ambiguous as to whether the visions and time-travelling that Donnie seems to undergo are real or imagined.

Donnie Darko is rewardingly-thought provoking and is the kind of movie you'll want to watch more than once, not only to figure it out but also to enjoy the richly-written characters and involving narrative.

Rating: 10/10

17 January, Harbour Lights, Southampton. Performance: 10.30pm. Box office: 023 8033 5533.