It's not a common occurrence for a single person to be the Director, writer, and star of their own film. When this rare phenomena takes place, the results are unpredictable. In the case of Don Jon (Rated R), Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines in all areas.The film takes place in New Jersey and follows the sexual adventures of Jon Martello (Levitt). During the course of the film we experience life as Don Jon does. Levitt is blunt and brutally honest with his character's misguided realities. Things change drastically after he meets the vivacious Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson). As the cracks in life begin to take the toll on his various relationships, meets a potential guiding force in the troubled Esther (Julianne Moore).
While Don Jon is overwhelmingly raunchy, and explicit with the subject of Martello's libido, it serves a very important purpose...reality. From his faith, to his friends, to his awkward Jersey Shore family, we pleasantly experience Don Jon in a relatable manner. The laughable, intoxicating, oft-times difficult to watch reality of Don Jon's life is what separates this artistic film from traditional sex romp comedies. There is nothing over-the-top about the film or any of it's characters. Whether you frown at the behaviors depicted or disagree with the ambivalent treatment of religion; the single fact remains that it is a reality for a great many men (and women) in our modern American society. The norms of our predecessors are no more than meager ideologies. Moreover, the film combines film editing techniques that are uncommon in today's box office driven Hollywood. I highly recommend this film to anyone who has an open-mind and most importantly a sex life.
Rating 4 (Maximum of 5) - for sheer audacity and attention to detail.
