Don Jon Stumbles, but proves that Levitt is A Promising Director
Porn is more gratifying than actual sex. Objective reality over an ideal lifestyle. These are just a few things writer, director, and actor Joseph Gordon Levitt attempt to convey in his director's debut Don Jon and whether the film succeeds in delving into these modes of thought is based entirely on the viewer. I only say that the success of the film resides within the viewer because the explicit use of sexual imagery may turn many viewers off. That said the film deals with modern take on the legend of Don Juan, a old tale of a man who is a womanizer and morally unrestrained, so if you are walking in with expectations of a classy and clean film you're better off playing chu-chu on Mr. Roger's train-set.
Now with all that considered, the movie does succeed for the most part in conveying its message. Jon Martello, known as the "Don" for scoring "10s" and being an all around womanizer, lives a objective lifestyle. He cares about a few things: his body, pad, ride, family, church, boys, girls, and most importantly his porn. This is an important distinction that Levitt expresses within his character; Jon views everything through an objective mindset, only giving minute details on the ways he conducts these activities. His lifestyle for the most part is presented as typical, mundane, and even at times boring. The only thing he gives much thought to is the pornography he watches, which is ironic considering that he lives his life so impersonally. Pornography is an idealistic vessel that he derives delight from because it presents everything in perfection and "that ass.. those tits," that Jon refers to is instant gratification. The idea being that all humans contain this feeling of aphrodisia, Jon wants to abstain from all these emotional ties and subjectivity and get straight to the point.
Hustling all these women, Jon begins to wonder that maybe the joy he derives from adult films can be acquired if he finds the right girl, which brings in the second vessel of illustrating humans obsession with idealism in place of reality. Jon's love interest known as Barbara Sugarman, portrayed by Scarlett Johannson, is someone he believes that can help him come in touch with reality; this reality being the absolutism he finds in pornography. However Barbara has her own mindset of love that he perceives through Hollywood depictions of romance: the man being a gentleman, the woman being the princess, and both live happily ever after. This presents an interesting contrast between male and female perceptions of love and its sensuality and animalism versus the romantic prospect. Considering how stark a contrast and yet how similar both mindsets are, it was very disappointing to see how the latter was not further explored or delved into. Other characters include Julianne Moore's Esther who does a great job in encapturing the holistic vision of the film in the third act, as student at Jon's community college to enlightens Jon that since the affair of sexual relations involves two parties, it cannot be solely delved in with a singular mindset. Tony Danza, who plays a supporting role as Jon's father, also does a great job at demonstrating why Jon thinks and acts the way he does being fostered by parents who live a archetypal lifestyle where the man watches Sunday night football, while the woman banters about how his husband does not care enough about him; creating the mundane outlook Jon has on social reality in contemporary society.
The narrative space from which the Joseph Gordon Levitt relies on to tell his story as a director is amplified by interesting visual imagery and camera work put off by the production crew. The audience is constantly bombarded with cuts of pornographic tapes that are assumed to experienced by the protagonist, simulating an almost schizophrenic and mental breakdown. Additionally the movie often and intentionally does present repetitive sequence of footage showing Jon going to the gym where he works on his body, meticulously cleaning his apartment, and going to the church to absolve himself of his sins. This sequence of footage becomes so familiar and repetitive it both hinders the films making it less amusing to watch but getting to the point of showing Jon's perspective on life and just how unappealing it is to him because of how routine it is. However it does get to the point where the audience wonders why the film-maker decide to constantly bombard the audience with this sequence making it seem almost preachy. Though that being said, I do believe that Levitt's ability to convey this message and the variety of camera work to express his delusions and point of view does show to a large extent his capability as a future film director.
Before concluding it is important to note that the film does cover the power of the church in absolving humans for their sins. Jon visits the church to tell his transgressions of watching porn and having premarital sex with various women. Additionally there are times where he lies to his priest about committing these "sins," however whatever the case may be he gets the same response "say 10 hail marys" and you shall be absolved of your sins. This may seem like thinly veiled in the case against religion, but it does raise questions about how one can be absolved of sin, how can one commit vices constantly and yet be so easily be forgiven. No matter what you do, forgiveness is granted. It is not fully explored, but it is a nice touch to provide some social commentary on the questionable practices of the Catholic Church and how people perceive the archaic aspects of religious in modern society.
Don Jon is not a great film, but it is a good film that successfully illustrates the faults of the idealism in romanticism found from both sides of Hollywood: the film industry and the adult-film industry. The repetitive nature of film does become cumbersome about half way through the film, but the interesting camera play makes the film some what compelling to watch. Furthermore the acting by the main cast, including the feat by Levitt being both director and the lead actor, goes on to demonstrate that Joseph Gordon Levitt is a very capable film director and story teller even if the film stumbles every now and then.
You're Beautiful Babe, can I go home and watch my porno now?
7/10 Woodys *This Review has not been edited yet...*