In a world where access to the internet is easy and pornography is readily available, people can easily become addicted to porn. They may get their initial fix of entertainment from watching porn, but if they are unable to control themselves, their porn-watching habit can soon turn into a full-blown addiction that can have negative consequences on their daily lives. Such is the case with Jon Martello, the main character of the film “Don Jon.”
Directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, “Don Jon” is a comedy-drama film that tells the story of Jon Martello, played by Gordon-Levitt himself, who is a young Italian-American bartender living in New Jersey. On the surface, Jon may seem like a decent guy who takes care of his body, apartment, and his parents, in addition to being a regular church-goer. However, Jon has a dirty little secret: he is addicted to watching porn, and not just any porn, but hardcore porn.
Despite being sexually active, Jon never feels satisfied, and the only way for him to quench his thirst for sexual gratification is to watch porn and masturbate. He even goes to confession frequently to repent for his sinful behavior. His friends call him “Don Jon” because he always manages to get the ladies, but after one-night stands, he never feels fulfilled.
Jon meets Barbara Sugarman, played by Scarlett Johansson, an attractive blonde with an attitude. They start seeing each other, and Barbara wants a committed relationship with Jon, but she does not want to have sex with him right away. At first, Jon is willing to try and change his ways, and he starts getting more interested in the romantic comedies that Barbara loves to watch. He even attends night school classes to impress her, but he still cannot shake off his addiction to pornography.
Things come to a head when Barbara catches Jon watching porn in secret, and she becomes angry and confronts him about it. At first, Jon tries to lie, but eventually, he confesses to his obsession. This leads to the breakdown of their relationship, and Jon falls back into his old porn-watching habits to deal with the pain of losing Barbara.
However, Jon meets Esther, a middle-aged woman who catches him watching porn on his phone during class. She becomes interested in him and introduces him to a different kind of erotic video that she thinks is healthier than the hardcore porn he is used to watching. Jon starts to see the error of his ways and tries to turn his life around.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut succeeds in its examination of modern life and porn addiction. The film approaches its subject matter with a light touch, using comedy to make the story more palatable to the audience. The film is shot mostly in mid-shots, which are effective in capturing the essence of Jon’s world. The film’s setting, New Jersey, is crucial in understanding the characters’ backstories and desires.
In conclusion, “Don Jon” is an excellent film that depicts the dangers of porn addiction and how it can wreak havoc on a person’s life. The film is well-written, well-acted, and directed with care. Joseph Gordon-Levitt deserves praise for his directorial debut, and the film is a must-watch for anyone interested in seeing how porn addiction can affect a person’s life.
