Story by Glenn Fraser, Contributor
Photos courtesy of Relativity Media
“Don Jon” is Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s film-writing and directorial debut. He also stars as the main character, Jon, a bartender with a reputation among his friends as a real ladies’ man. Jon’s main passion is internet pornography, but his whole world is shaken up when he encounters the girl of his dreams — a solid 10 named Barb — played by Scarlett Johansson.
“Don Jon” is a coming-of-age tale of sorts. The film shows Jon struggling to adjust his life to become a better man for Barb, even if that means giving up the seductress that is online porn.
Most of the film’s scenarios are geared toward comedy, and the majority of its characters resemble those in any number of Jersey-themed, reality television stars — minus the spray tan.
Tony Danza does an exceptional job of portraying Jon’s outspoken, hotblooded, Italian-American father.
The film stumbles, however, in its portrayal of Jon’s interactions with Esther, an older woman he meets in college. At first their relationship feels like a jarring change of pace from the rest of the movie, but as the sub-plot develops, it begins to merge with the main story.
Esther, played by Julianne Moore, is a welcome presence in the film as one of the few normal people outside of Jon’s social bubble.
Although pornography frames the main theme of this R-rated film, nothing overly graphic is shown. Still, “Don Jon” is not a date flick.
Gordon-Levitt proves himself to be more-than-capable behind the camera even though the drama feels forced at times. Ultimately, the film is a romantic comedy at heart — at least it’s as romantic as a love-triangle between a man, a woman and porn can be.
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