Don Jon (2013) Directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Guess it's fair to say that this isn't a bad directorial debut from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, since all things considering, this movie could have been a lot worse. But at the same time, it's a movie you can also easily do without.

Don't get me wrong, there is not an awful lot wrong with this movie but it just isn't one that will leave a very large impression. In a lot of ways, this feels like a very redundant movie, that has some good and interesting themes in it but in the end handles things too comically and goofy for things to ever truly work out effectively enough.

In essence this movie is a pretty interesting exploration of relationships and about different expectations and needs. It's definitely true that in a lot of ways males and females are totally different creatures, which is one of the reasons why most relationships between these two 'species' eventually won't work out. It's a pretty honest and genuine movie in that regard, that doesn't try to make things look better than they are. I think that a lot of people will definitely be able to relate to- and identify themselves with some of the characters and events in this movie. That's also one of the strong points of the movie but in the end, it doesn't feel like the movie is providing any solutions or is making any true solid statements about anything. And that's really why this movie feels like a mostly completely redundant one. What was this movie really trying to do and say with its story? After having seen it, I still don't really know. I'm not feeling any better or worse after having watched this movie and I'm also most definitely not thinking any differently about relationships or love now.


It's also true that the movie is being a bit too comical. Sure, it keeps things entertaining and the movie a tight and fast paced one but at the same time it's also definitely going at the expense of the movie its drama and emotions. Not that I minded things being more comical and entertaining but I simply have to say that it made things a bit too shallow and simplistic at times to watch.

On a more positive note again; the acting was pretty solid all throughout. It seems like an odd thing; a small skinny guy like Joseph Gordon-Levitt playing a buff Italian ladies man but he's doing a great job and actually plays the part convincingly. Other actors like Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore and Tony Danza are also all pretty solid in this. It's nothing that's going to win any of them some big awards but it simply just was great and entertaining to see them do their thing in this movie.

It's a perfectly fine and watchable little movie but it just isn't really one I would ever recommend to anyone, since it really isn't one that makes a big impression and it's even a bit of a forgettable one.

7/10

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