Don Jon

The idea for this film is actually one I've been thinking about for a while - what would happen if the extreme negative stereotype for a porn addicted man had a relationship for the extreme negative stereotype for a manipulative girlfriend? Let's face it - men have ridiculous views of what women should be and women have a ridiculous view of what men should be. What would happen if these two met, directed by someone incredibly talented. Enter Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

In the end, the film isn't nearly as interesting as I wanted it to be, and perhaps the slightest bit not believable. But the point certainly gets across - neither one of these extremities are healthy. On one hand, yes every man probably watches porn fairly frequently even in a relationship, but can you really defend porn addiction so severe that actual sex is unsatisfactory? On the other end, is it really okay for a woman to unrealistically search out a flawless man, and then ditch him for such a harmless flaw as watching porn? Is it okay for the woman to make the man stop doing things she doesn't see as attractive, such as cleaning an apartment, even when her significant other very much enjoys doing them? Is it okay to tell a white lie to your girlfriend when she asks you to stop doing something so small, so unimportant, but something you genuinely like doing anyway?

It raises a lot of questions, and answers a lot of them fairly satisfactorily as well. Julianne Moore plays a fascinating, intelligent, and weakened woman, destroyed emotionally by recent events. Yet somehow she manages to make sense for both of them, helping Jon understand why he is the cause of his own problems. Sure, Johansson's character walks away pretty unchanged. But we see closure and understanding, and seeing as the movie is Jon's story, we don't necessarily need to see her grow up either.

But this movie succeeds at a few things from a comedic standpoint as well. First of all, it has a really funny approach to parody silly romance movies, whether it's the direct approach of going to see a cheesy romance starring Channing Tatum and Anne Hathaway, or the silly kissing scenes outside the theatre with corny music (I loved how it focused more on the people walking past). It managed to keep me chuckling. Although I couldn't help but notice the rest of the audience really didn't seem to be as absorbed into it as I was.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is pretty darn hot in this. Did I say hot? I mean talented. You almost believe that his porn addiction isn't severe, until he actually talks about it. The entire cast is looking pretty great. And acting pretty great as well. Scarlett Johansson really impresses with a sexy, but terribly cruel, interpretation on a mans idea of the worst kind of woman. I particularly loved the character played by Julianne Moore, a sweet, funny, and sad middle aged woman, who latches onto Gordon-Levitt for no discernible reason except for her inability to understand the other younger men around her.

The audience reaction is definitely notable. This movie is ranking fairly high from a critical standpoint, however it's also ranking quite low for an audience score. But then again, it works well for me, despite perhaps its hiccups. And those are infrequent.

Rank - 4/5