Megann Horstead
Social Media Editor
“Porn is better than sex,” said no man ever. At least that’s what some think when they consider representations of men.
“Don Jon” opened Sept. 27 and is rated-R for strong graphic sexual material and dialogue throughout, nudity, language and some drug use.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Don Jon is just what women might typically think of the everyday male – a lothario, a ladies man. Gordon-Levitt is what TV’s “Jersey Shore” fanatics would call a “Guido” or a good-looking, fit Italian man. All of this is true but Jon still finds discontentment in his romantic life. Why? He’s more into porn than he is into actual sex with women.
Don Jon becomes quickly enamored by the beauty of Scarlett Johansson’s character, Barbara Sugarman. Finding her irresistibly attractive and loyal, Don Jon wants to give his all to Barbara.
Barbara is the type of woman that goes gaga over the idea of chivalry in romantic films. Jon finds her idealization of romance being equally as awful as his habit of watching porn.
“Movies and porn are different, Jon. They give awards for movies,” Barbara said.
“They give awards for porn too,” Don Jon exclaimed.
Don Jon and Barbara seek to hash out their differences when it comes to relationships, love, and on a larger level, their consumption of media.
When Don Jon brings Barbara home to meet the family one evening, their Italian pride is strong and clear. Although not Italian as his family would liked, Barbara proved to be extremely likable. His family basically sent a huge thumbs up in his direction and commended his choice to settle down in a committed relationship.
Don Jon gets pulled into a situation where he is at odds with his obsession with porn and his growing romance for her. This event marks a crucial point in considering where the storyline goes.
“Don Jon” will keep viewers engaged from start to finish. Audiences will inevitably fall for Don Jon and Barbara and their will they/won’t they game.
The film is also on point in its discussion about porn and romantic film and how these forms of media can misconstrue one’s view of gender roles and expectations. So few films take on controversial topics as Gordon-Levitt’s “Don Jon.” “Don Jon” is unique and certainly is a story that needs to be told.
Even as Gordon-Levitt’s first time both acting and directing in a film, he shows why he should be considered a powerhouse. The chemistry shown along side Tony Danza is unforgettable. Viewers get a sense of what life is like as an Italian man living in the hookup culture.
There is a superb supporting cast featuring not only Danza but Julianne Moore. In particular, the film rockets to a whole new level with Moore’s Ester. Her ability to convey an emotionally overwhelmed and harebrained personality is off-putting but delightful in creating a contrast to Gordon-Levitt’s character.
As the storyline reaches its conclusion viewers unwrap a message that love has many faces and we should not be blind but privy to when it hits us.
