Movie Review: Don Jon (2013)
Written by Anthony Sargon
"Don Jon" marks Joseph Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut, and all I can say is that the man sure knows how to leave an impression. The movie is very funny and memorable, and it establishes Gordon-Levitt as a director with a bright future, in case acting wasn't enough.
The flick centers around a porn addict from New Jersey called Jon, or Don Jon as his friends like to call him. But Jon has a dirty little secret; he's more interested in porn than the girls he sleeps with, and that becomes a big problem when he meets scarlet Johansson’s character, Barbara.
I really enjoyed "Don Jon"; it can be really funny, and it's a very strong first directorial effort. Not only does Gordon-Levitt do a great job directing, he also gives a very strong performance as the central character. Scarlett Johansson is also fantastic as Barbara, and Tony Danza gives a great turn as Johnny’s dad.
The movie actually makes a lot of points that I agree with, and that’s kind of scary. It’s all fun and games until you realize that a movie about a porn addict is making you question how we view sex as a society, and especially as a generation that has grown up with such a distorted view of sex because of what technology has done to porn.
"Don Jon" doesn’t solely focus on pornography though, it also tries to point towards Hollywood’s deceptive interpretation of love and the unrealistic expectations that it also creates.
The movie does have its faults, though; it’s a bit repetitive and could be more subtle at times. There’s one character in particular played by Julianne Moore that felt out of place in the story, and while I get the message that Levitt was trying to convey, it didn’t have to be that obvious and literal.
Anthony's Verdict:
"Don Jon" is a very strong start to what I’m sure is going to be a lucrative directing career for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The movie asks some questions that may make a few of us uncomfortable, but it’s funny, unique, and quite memorable.
Numerical Score: 7.5/10
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