“Don Jon” (Trailer) is the first film written and directed by everyone’s favorite boy-faced actor, and after having a few very strong years (“Inception,” “50/50,” “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Looper“), Joseph Gordon-Levitt took a long break in order to work on this pet project of his.

Of course based on the character of Don Juan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is hoping to add a very unique, and potentially controversial, spin to the tale.

Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a charismatic 20-something Jersey boy. Jon is nicknamed the Don by his friends (Jeremy Luke, Rob Brown) for his ability to bring a woman home every weekend. Not average women, either, but 8s, 9s, and even 10s. He only cares about a few things in life: his body, his pad, his ride, his family, his church, his boys, his girls and his porn.

What? His porn? Yep, turns out Jon has a little addiction going on.

Why does he like porn so much if he can always get “the real thing” in person? Well, that seems to be the million dollar question in this film. Jon just finds the real thing a bit disappointing compared to what he can find quickly on the internet. It is as if the women in these films are not like women in the real world.

That is, until he meets Barbara (Scarlett Johansson), the woman of his dreams, a perfect 10. He is willing to change for her, too. Take her on actual dates, stop the playboy lifestyle, start taking night classes, you name it. But can he give up porn? Is she “the one”? She definitely disapproves of the practice, because she grew up sheltered and doesn’t accept that “everyone does it.”

Jon’s family (Tony Danza, Glenne Headly, Brie Larson) are both very supportive and destructive in his life, but he still cares about them as well. He also meets Esther (Julianne Moore), a strange older woman in his night class who has wise advice and is way too nosy about what he watches on his phone. 

Watching “Don Jon,” I bet Joseph is tired of being associated with the movies and TV shows he did when he was younger. That is probably why he chose to write and direct a movie with such an intense subject matter. In America, it is pretty easy for a female child star to break away from those chains, and it happens pretty often (and each time it is met with outrage) but it is practically impossible for a guy. But I think we found it, folks.

What I am most impressed with in this movie is its sense of realism, especially among Jon’s family. The dialogue and arguments he faced with his father (Tony Danza, excellent in this role) and mother were just so natural. I feel as if they have known each other for years. All of my favorite scenes came in their household. 

I will admit, I did find the subject matter very awkward to watch with a bunch of strangers in a dark crowded theater. I understand why a few people left early on, with a lot of scenes taken directly from Pornhub. Scarlett Johansson, despite being in a role I hated, definitely acted in a way I have never seen her in before, which was both exciting and frightening at the same time.

“Don Jon” also had a pretty unique ending. Joseph took it in a way no one would expect from the trailers. Despite being unique, I could not call it fantastic or terrible, just an overwhelming “meh.” It definitely could have been better.

Overall, I say “Don Jon” is worth watching for a few reasons: The topic itself can lead to interesting discussions among your friends and loved ones; the sound “advice” it eventually churns out; and the great acting among the leads.

4/5