DON JON Review

Joseph Gordon-Levitt would like you to believe his directorial debut is a comedy, a commentary on the unrealistic expectations media-consuming millennials have come to expect because of what they see on the internet and in the movies. That these narcissistic brats who constantly text and stare at screens rather than go outside or spend quality one on one time with each other talking face to face have become so self-involved that they are numb to the effect another person might have on them; that, in many ways, we are incapable of experiencing real and true emotion. That is what the advertisements for Don Jon would have you believe, that Gordon-Levitt makes his writing and directing debut behind the smug script that caters specifically to his age set and cashes in on the unknown truth of what romance has become. There is good and bad to the fact that none of this is actually true. Don Jon is as much a romantic comedy with the R-rated twist of porn thrown into the mix as Flight was a mystery thriller about how a pilot saved almost everyone on board after the plane somehow malfunctioned. What makes Don Jon so engaging is the pure energy and palpable excitement that has been put into the project by its writer, director and star. This is clearly a project he's worked tirelessly on and to have the opportunity to manage and control a creative venture is something the multi-talented Gordon-Levitt isn't going to let slip away without leaving an impression. It is what kind of impression he leaves though that makes his film something of a question mark to figure out as you walk out of the theater. Sure, it tries to have its cake and eat it too, but it goes about it in such a charming way and has enough of a solid script and great casting to forgive the formulaic pitfalls it comes around to in the last fifteen or so minutes of the film. I like Gordon-Levitt, I think he has made smart choice after smart choice and continues to show why he deserves the recognition he's been receiving since breaking the child star curse four years ago with (500) Days of Summer. In many ways, that film and Don Jon are kindred spirits in that both characters played by Gordon-Levitt have very specific expectations of what love is supposed to be and as a director Gordon-Levitt clearly has expectations for what his film wants and needs to be as well, but while it feels like he almost gets there he's still missing that something extra.

First Trailer for Joseph Gordon-Levitt's DON JON

Joseph Gordon-Levitt was pretty much everywhere in 2012 as he made appearances in four films (The Dark Knight Rises, Premium Rush, Looper, and Lincoln) and still found time to write, direct and star in his own film, originally titled Don Jon's Addiction, that has been making its rounds on the festival circuit for a few months now. I was hoping to catch a screening of it as it was the closing night film at my local film festival this past weekend, but was unable to make it and likely would not have been able to get into the screening anyway. Anyway, I'm anxious to see what the talented actor has up his sleeve in terms of writing and making a feature film and if the trailer is any indication it at least looks like he had a good time making a movie and that experience seems to have been captured on screen. The tone and pacing of the film seem very apparent here and the film seems ripe with comic opportunity as it mainly concerns itself with distilling the ideals put on the masses by mainstream entertainment that every relationship should be like those we see in romantic comedies. This is of course a difficult goal to achieve when you factor in a porn. This is the addiction referred to in the films original title, but is also the main point of conflict when Gordon-Levitt's title character finds someone he might have a real shot of an authentic relationship with in Scarlett Johansson. Reviews from the festival circuit have been overwhelmingly positive and I'm anxious to see what all the fuss is about. The film also stars Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, Jeremy Luke, Rob Brown, and Brie Larson. Don Jon opens on October 18th. Hit the jump to check out the trailer.