Review of Don Jon (2013) by Douglas C — 14 Sep 2014

Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut is a winning and surprisingly irreverent film that takes the sex comedy genre to startlingly assured heights. Levitt ably commands the lead role and wisely hands off a lot of screen time to leading ladies Johansson and Moore who bring their own brand of ribald humor and spot-on comic timing.

For a first time out, Levitt's screenplay is bouncy and meaty and when you have a talented ensemble at your disposal, his dialogue really transcends and flies high. Levitt gives the film an art-house sensibility and makes pointed commentary on being dependent on technology while also dishing on the meaning of sex and love and how the two are either completely separate or if they are co-dependent.

ANY guy can relate to Don Jon's crisis but I did find as I kept watching that I fell into disagreement with his character's preoccupation with porn. Even though the film is a fun watch from beginning to end with no shortage of in-jokes or laughs, I found it exceedingly difficult to take his side on the issue if porn gives a man more pleasure than real flesh.

Sensibilities aside, I loved watching all the pieces fall into place even if some parts of it felt overly-stereotyped especially with Barbara's characterization. Levitt has had more than 20 years of experience in showbiz as he got his start as a child actor.

Few other actors really have made such a lasting transformation into mature filmmaking than he has. I am interested to see what the next project he chooses to helm will be.