Joseph Gordon-Levitt writes, directs and stars in this comedy about a womanizing Jersey boy who finds there’s more to life than constantly scoring when he becomes involved with two very different women (Scarlett Johannson and Julianne Moore).
From child actor to indie star to box-office magnet, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has captivated audiences with his range, intelligence and diverse tastes. Following a series of celebrated short films, Gordon-Levitt now makes his feature directorial debut with Don Jon, a ribald romantic comedy in which he slyly utilizes his own charm and matinee-idol looks to craft a complex portrait of modern masculinity.
Jon Martello Jr. (Gordon-Levitt) is a New Jersey bartender and womanizer. Yet, in spite of his ability to land sexual partners, Jon has a dirty secret: he's hopelessly hooked on internet porn. For him, no reallife bedmate — no matter how gorgeous or skilled — can compare to the endless parade of images he finds on the web. Even after what would seem an exhausting session in the sack, Jon still feels the call of his laptop.
Jon's routine seems fixed for life — until he meets Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson, in one of her best roles). She's a sassy Jersey girl who proves a rare challenge to his powers of seduction. But can he reveal to her his awkward addiction?
Gordon-Levitt and Johansson (also at the Festival in Under the Skin) are terrific in Don Jon, and they're ably supported by a surprising Tony Danza as Don's dad. With its collision of classic libertine literature and internet-age afflictions, there's a serious core to the work here, but this is above all a deliciously racy romp.
CAMERON BAILEY
Screenings
Scotiabank 1
Princess of Wales
Ryerson Theatre