4 out of 4 stars
Don Jon is a modern twist from the 17Th century Spanish novel “El Burlador de Sevilla,” which introduces the character “Don Juan.” This version created by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer, Batman: Dark Knight Rises, Looper, Lincoln) is his full feature film directorial debut.
With a star-studded cast, this funny yet insightful film takes us through the life of Jon- a New Jersey young catholic Italian man as he reaches his sexual predominance in life while battling a hidden demon. With his sexual encounters each week comes the need to repent and confess to his Church’s priest. Once guaranteed absolution is given, it provides a great joy and permission to next week’s sexual ventures. While this is happening, Jon continues a daily routine of watching Internet porn and multiple masturbation sessions.
One day a beautiful and sexy woman named Barbara Sugarman (played by Scarlett Johanssen) comes into his life like a lightning bolt and challenges everything. He finally feels love and satisfaction with one partner. Barbara is a controlling woman who prides herself in getting her man to do everything as she pleases. As the relationship grows and conflicts arise, his fascination with pornography becomes more prominent. This eventually leads to her discovery of his problem and eventual break-up.
In night school he meets a newly widowed Esther (played by Julianne Moore) an older mature woman who makes him come to terms with his porn addition and helps his recovery. This relationship brings the climatic moment when Jon realizes that as one-sided and selfish his porn addition is, so was Barbara’s one-sided view of a relationship. Relationships are about the constant fulfillment of two individual needs, a feeling that he later discovers with Esther.
A modern and clever portrayal of a very common addition, Gordon-Levitt delivers as an actor and as a director in this very funny, light and thought-provoking comedy. Highly recommended. The film was purchased with an expected April release.
