# Don Jon

> 2013 film by Joseph Gordon-Levitt

**Wikidata**: [Q499918](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q499918)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Jon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/don-jon

## Summary
Don Jon is a 2013 American romantic comedy-drama film written, directed by, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt in his feature directorial debut. The film explores themes of modern relationships, addiction to pornography, and unrealistic expectations shaped by media.

## Key Facts
- Release date: January 18, 2013 (Sundance Film Festival), September 27, 2013 (United States)
- Director: Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Writer: Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Star: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (as Jon Martello)
- Co-stars: Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza
- Production budget: $6 million
- Box office gross: $30,240,052
- Runtime: 90 minutes
- Country of origin: United States
- Language: English
- IMDb ID: tt2229499
- Rotten Tomatoes: 80% critics score, 66/100 Metacritic
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10
- Genre: Romantic comedy, drama
- Also known as: "Don Jon's Addiction" (original title)
- Named after: Don Juan (legendary fictional libertine)

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Don Jon?**
The film follows Jon Martello, a New Jersey bartender who struggles with unrealistic expectations from pornography while trying to find genuine intimacy and happiness with his potential true love. His journey involves confronting his addiction and learning to connect authentically with others.

**Who are the main cast members?**
Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Jon Martello, with Scarlett Johansson as Barbara Sugarman, Julianne Moore as Esther, and Tony Danza as Jon's father. Supporting cast includes Glenne Headly as Jon's mother and Brie Larson as Jon's sister.

**What themes does the film explore?**
Don Jon examines modern relationships, pornography addiction, unrealistic expectations shaped by media, gender roles, and the search for genuine intimacy in the digital age. It critiques how media consumption affects personal relationships and self-perception.

**How was the film received critically?**
The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut, the performances, and its honest treatment of sensitive subject matter. It holds an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 66/100.

## Why It Matters
Don Jon matters as a significant directorial debut that tackles contemporary issues of media consumption and relationships with honesty and humor. The film addresses the impact of pornography on modern relationships in a way that was relatively uncommon in mainstream cinema at the time. It demonstrates Joseph Gordon-Levitt's versatility as a filmmaker and his willingness to explore complex, often uncomfortable topics. The movie sparked conversations about media literacy, addiction, and the gap between fantasy and reality in relationships, making it culturally relevant beyond its entertainment value.

## Notable For
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt's feature directorial debut
- Honest exploration of pornography addiction in mainstream cinema
- Strong performances from the ensemble cast
- Successful transition from actor to writer-director
- Addressing contemporary relationship dynamics in the digital age
- Balancing comedy and drama while tackling sensitive subject matter
- Sundance Film Festival premiere in the Premieres category

## Body
### Production and Development
Don Jon was written and directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, marking his feature directorial debut. The film was produced by Ram Bergman and Nicolas Chartier through their companies Ram Bergman Productions and Voltage Pictures, with Gordon-Levitt's HitRecord involved in production. Filming took place in New York City and New Jersey, with Gordon-Levitt casting himself in the lead role alongside established actors Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore.

### Cast and Characters
Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrays Jon Martello, a New Jersey bartender with a pornography addiction. Scarlett Johansson plays Barbara Sugarman, Jon's romantic interest who has her own idealistic expectations from romantic comedies. Julianne Moore appears as Esther, a middle-aged woman who helps Jon understand genuine intimacy. Tony Danza plays Jon's father, and Glenne Headly portrays his mother. Brie Larson has a small but notable role as Jon's sister Monica, who remains mostly silent throughout the film.

### Release and Distribution
The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2013, in the Premieres category. It was later released theatrically in the United States on September 27, 2013, by Relativity Media. The film had a limited release initially before expanding to wider distribution. It was originally titled "Don Jon's Addiction" but was shortened to "Don Jon" for its theatrical release.

### Critical Reception
Don Jon received generally positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 80% approval rating based on 174 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The critical consensus states: "A funny, heartfelt, and imaginative debut for writer-director-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Don Jon proves that he's a talent to watch." Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 66 out of 100 based on 33 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews."

### Box Office Performance
The film had a modest budget of $6 million and grossed $30,240,052 worldwide. It earned $24,478,352 in the United States and $5,761,700 in other territories. The film's profitability was considered successful given its relatively low production costs and independent nature.

### Themes and Analysis
Don Jon explores several interconnected themes including pornography addiction, unrealistic expectations in relationships, gender roles, and the influence of media on personal identity. The film critiques how both men and women develop unrealistic expectations from different forms of media—pornography for men and romantic comedies for women. It examines the disconnect between fantasy and reality in modern relationships and the challenges of forming genuine emotional connections in an age of digital media consumption.

### Cultural Impact
The film contributed to ongoing conversations about pornography's role in modern relationships and media literacy. It was praised for its honest, non-judgmental approach to discussing pornography addiction while maintaining a comedic tone. The movie's exploration of how media shapes expectations resonated with audiences and critics, making it a notable entry in discussions about contemporary relationships and digital culture.

### Technical Aspects
The film was shot by cinematographer Thomas Kloss, with editing by Lauren Zuckerman. The production design by Christopher Stull and costume design by Jenny Eagan helped create the authentic New Jersey setting and character aesthetics. The soundtrack features contemporary music that complements the film's modern setting and themes.

### Related Works and Connections
As a romantic comedy-drama, Don Jon connects to the broader genre of relationship-focused films that blend humor with serious themes. It shares thematic territory with other films exploring modern relationships and media influence, though its specific focus on pornography addiction sets it apart. The film's exploration of gender expectations and media consumption places it within contemporary social commentary cinema.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.cinematografo.it/cinedatabase/film/don-jon/57026/)
2. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=203316.html)
3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2229499/)
4. [Source](http://www.mafab.hu/movies/don-jon-92927.html)
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6. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/don-jon-film)
7. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/27/movies/joseph-gordon-levitt-stars-in-don-jon.html?_r=1&)
8. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/don-jon)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2229499/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm)
10. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
11. The Movie Database
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13. Don Jon. Rotten Tomatoes
14. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2229499/releaseinfo)
15. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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