Don Jon Review
RYAN: This is the directorial debut of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He also wrote and stars in Don Jon and I am super impressed by him. It might not have the heft of a Clint Eastwood or Ben Affleck film, but it is super funny, real and full of life and energy.
CARRIE: Very well done and he was there after the screening for a Q&A and seems really genuine. The movie was great. I really connected to the characters and I like movies where you like a character but know they’re not perfect.
RYAN: And he really is a great actor. He uses a different voice for this role. He spent six months getting into shape for this and looks hot.
CARRIE: He looks amazing.
RYAN: In the first scene, shirt’s off and you’re, like, “Wow. Dude’s been hitting the gym.”
CARRIE: His chest and abs are incredible. Scarlett looked beautiful.
RYAN: She looks gorgeous and it’s so funny because it’s almost like she was playing an SNL character the whole time.
CARRIE: Yes – over the top and funny.
RYAN: Really hilarious. I know girls like that in New York.
CARRIE: You really do? I’ve never met any girls like that.
RYAN: Oh for sure!
CARRIE: He was a character too.
RYAN: I was worried this would be a case of good trailer/bad movie because this film has one of the most brilliantly edited trailers you’ll ever see but I’m happy the movie is edited with the same genius. Part of what makes this movie so great is the editing. There’s a musicality and rhythm to the editing that enhances it so much. When he sees a girl, you know what he’s thinking just by the musical scoring and the editing. It’s just brilliant.
CARRIE: That’s a really good point. Even when there are characters who you can’t relate to, you still feel a connection in this movie because you can tell what they are thinking.
RYAN: It’s a strong romantic comedy that hits all the right beats. You see it – oh! it’s their first fight, etc… The confrontation in a relationship will be very relatable to a lot of people.
CARRIE: I’ve had friends who have had porn issues in a relationship and it was interesting to watch it play out on the big screen.
RYAN: I was kinda shocked at how racy it is! I thought it could be NC-17. It’s rated R but this was all sexuality and tension and imagery. It’s almost soft-core at points.
CARRIE: Definitely.
RYAN: It’s the raciest movie about old-fashioned dating there is. It’s not about porn. It’s about dating the old-fashioned way but with porn involved.
CARRIE: I loved his parents too.
RYAN: His dad is played by Tony Danza and you’ve never seen him like this before. He’s a raunchy dad in amazing shape and I really bought him as JGL’s dad. This could be a comeback for him.
CARRIE: Do you think the relationship between his parents was healthy?
RYAN: No but it shows where his issues stem from. But let’s talk about Julianne Moore.
CARRIE: Oh yes! I loved her in this.
RYAN: She’s the heart and soul of the movie. She’s the catalyst for the change in his life.
CARRIE: You really have empathy for her in this movie.
RYAN: Do you think she’s pretty?
CARRIE: In, like, an older woman kind of way. I wouldn’t say sexy though.
RYAN: It’s neat to see where this story goes. I think the moral of the story here is basically don’t judge a book by it’s cover. It’s also a very quotable. I burst out laughing a few times in this. And there’s a really fun scene where they go to a movie and it’s a faux-movie with Anne Hathaway and Channing Tatum – very clever.
CARRIE: I loved that. They must have had fun shooting those scenes.
RYAN: I love this movie. It’s very R rated but the perfect date movie, an excellent rom com!
