Don Jon (2013, dir. Joseph Gordon-Levitt) ****/****

Internet pornography addiction, as presented in Joseph Gordon-Levitt's "Don Jon" is a hell of a thing:  like any addiction it consumes the user's entire life and acts as a substitute for reality, including real sex, forcing the addict to resort to it as an emotional balm for insecurities and spiritual emptiness. 

  Levitt directs, writes and stars in an electrifying directorial debut that probably speaks to millions of twentysomethings who look at porn on the internet for masturbational purposes frequently if not daily.  It is no mistake that "Don Jon" sounds and looks an awful like "Don Juan":  Levitt's character Jon is a slick, smooth-talking lady's man who frequents nightclubs every weekend with his buddies to score with susceptible female "10's" who are lured in by his sleazy, guido charms.  But, as we are soon made aware, the sex that he enjoys with these women he picks up at night clubs are no substitute for the satisfaction he garners from his constant internet porn vice.  But, "all guys look at porn", as Jon iterates at one point in the film and it wouldn't be surprising if many young viewers can identify with Jon's habit.  

   Eventually, Jon runs into Barbara (Scarlett Johansson) in a club and is immediately attracted.  But Barb is not like the other girls:  she is not that easy, is smart, sassy and she's even better looking than most of the other "10's" that he's used to.  Soon, the two are dating and in a relationship.  Things go awry when the nasty porn addiction is discovered despite the fact that Barbara has her own superficial quasi-addiction to romance movies.

   The movie is funny and has witty dialogue.  It is also explicitly frank about sexuality and insightful about modern day relationship dynamics.  There are funny moments at Jon's parent's house where Tony Danza, in a hilarious performance, plays Jon's hot-headed father.  Jon also frequents church every Sunday where he confesses to his previous week's sins.  There is critical commentary on modern Catholicism in the confessionals.  Julianne Moore has a welcome appearance as an older woman Jon meets at an adult education class who teaches him about the importance of "losing yourself" in your sexual partner, the importance of close emotional involvement with your lover, and the downside of porn in that it makes real sex somewhat one-sided and egocentric.

  This is one of the best comedies of the year and a clear-sighted, efficient directorial job by first time director Levitt.  I look forward to his future work and so should you.