Factual error: When Donnie returns to his house to find a jet engine has landed on it, we see them lift the jet engine up with the crane. Yet his family, complete with 5 year old girl, are standing right in front of the crane. Plus workmen are milling around underneath and about 4 FAA officials come from inside the house. They are lifting a 2000lb jet engine, and all these people are allowed to wander around while it's 20ft above them?
Factual error: In Donnie’s front lawn of his home which is supposedly Middlesex, Virginia, there are two very noticeable Sago Palms. Sago Palms are subtropical plants that grow nowhere near Middlesex. This is a direct clue to the filming location of Southern California...and not Virginia, which receives some snowfall on an annual basis.
Answer: According to the audio commentary, "they're being manipulated and they are aware that something is going on with this kid and are laughing about it." Director's commentary is very interesting.
Nikki