Official! "What Mad World?"

Jason Cowley wrote Official! It really is a mad, mad, mad world. For the "Newstatesman" which was published January 5, 2004. The majority of the article summarizes the writing of Roland Orzbal's memorable song "Mad World". But an excerpt from the article talks about how the song was re-recorded for Richard Kelly's 2001 release Donnie Darko. Cowley dicusses how "Mad World" adds to the 1980's feel of the film and how the rest of the soundtrack further pushes this ambience along.

"[Mad World's] success, though perplexing, is partly the result of the startling effect of the film Donnie Darko. Though greeted with indifference on its release in America in 2001, Donnie Darko has since acquired cult status... everythird person you meet rcommends [the film]."

The 1980's theme of the film is again seen with the opening discussion of Bush vs. Dukakis. Cowley also incquires into how the overall effect of the film is represented by the music chosen for the soundtrack.