Don Jon (2013)

Don Jon is a 2013 romantic dramedy that marked the directorial debut of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who also wrote and starred in the film. It explores themes of addiction, intimacy, expectations, and the contrast between fantasy and reality in modern relationships, all wrapped in a stylish, provocative package.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Meet Don Jon

Jon Martello (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a New Jersey bartender, lives a seemingly perfect bachelor life: he goes to the gym, hits confession at church, spends time with his family, hooks up with women at clubs—and watches porn. A lot of porn. In fact, he enjoys pornography more than actual sex, and admits in narration that real-life encounters never measure up to his favorite videos.

Jon is proud of his physical appearance, his apartment, his ride, and especially his ability to “pull 10s” at the club. But under this bravado lies a man addicted to control and fantasy.

Jon Meets Barbara: The Dream Girl?

Everything changes when Jon meets Barbara Sugarman (played by Scarlett Johansson), a picture-perfect woman who represents everything he thinks he wants. She’s beautiful, assertive, romantic—and she refuses to sleep with him until they’ve been dating for a while.

Barbara is obsessed with Hollywood-style love stories and tries to mold Jon into her ideal man. She encourages him to go back to school and aims to polish his image. But their relationship is built on mutual illusions: she’s addicted to fantasy romance, while he’s still sneaking off to watch porn.

Cracks in the Fantasy

Even after finally sleeping with Barbara, Jon finds himself returning to pornography, unable to derive the same satisfaction from real intimacy. When Barbara eventually catches him watching porn, she reacts with disgust—not just at the act itself, but that he would do such a thing when he “has her.”

Jon lies, but she eventually finds out again and dumps him. The relationship ends not because of the porn per se, but because both were using each other to fulfill unrealistic ideals.

Enter Esther: A Different Kind of Woman

While taking night classes, Jon befriends Esther (Julianne Moore), a middle-aged widow with a very different perspective on life and relationships. At first, Jon resists her interest in him, but she slowly opens him up emotionally. She gives him a flash drive of adult films that are actually about intimacy and challenges his view of sex as something purely physical.

Their relationship is awkward but real. Through Esther, Jon begins to understand the difference between self-serving gratification and mutual connection. Their emotional and sexual relationship is less flashy than his past flings, but far more meaningful.

Movie Ending

In the final moments, Jon narrates a shift in his outlook. He acknowledges he’ll always be physically attracted to women, but he no longer needs porn to feel fulfilled. He and Esther part ways romantically, but on good terms. She has helped him grow into a more emotionally aware person.

The movie ends with Jon walking through the park, smiling and peaceful for the first time, reflecting that he’s finally found a new sense of freedom—not in control, but in connection.

There is no grand romantic reunion, no over-the-top love scene—just a man who’s come to better understand himself and others. It’s a quiet but powerful conclusion that emphasizes emotional maturity over fantasy.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Don Jon does not include any post-credits scenes. Once the film ends, it stays ended—no Marvel-style surprises or bonus content.

Type of Movie

Don Jon is a romantic dramedy with strong elements of satire and character study. It blends comedy, emotional depth, and social commentary, all within a tight 90-minute runtime.

Cast

• Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jon Martello
• Scarlett Johansson as Barbara Sugarman
• Julianne Moore as Esther
• Tony Danza as Jon Sr.
• Glenne Headly as Angela Martello
• Brie Larson as Monica Martello (mostly silent but subtly brilliant)
• Rob Brown as Bobby

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Nathan Johnson, known for his work on Looper and Brick. The soundtrack includes a mix of Jersey club music, pop, and moody instrumentals that match the shifting emotional tones of the film. The music subtly underscores Jon’s evolution from shallow hedonism to emotional introspection.

Filming Locations

The movie was shot primarily in New York and New Jersey, especially in areas like Fort Lee and Cliffside Park. These suburban, slightly gritty environments reflect Jon’s working-class roots and cultural surroundings. His neighborhood church, gym, and clubs feel lived-in and authentic, helping ground the film’s themes of routine, repetition, and internal conflict.

Awards and Nominations

While Don Jon didn’t receive major award wins, it was well-received by critics and earned:

• Sundance Film Festival – Official Selection (2013)
• Independent Spirit Award Nomination – Best First Screenplay
• Gotham Awards Nomination – Breakthrough Director (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Joseph Gordon-Levitt wrote the screenplay in less than a month but spent much longer refining the characters.
• Scarlett Johansson reportedly stayed in her New Jersey accent character even off-camera.
• Julianne Moore joined the film late in the production but her scenes brought an emotional weight that reshaped the ending.
• JGL was inspired by media portrayals of masculinity and femininity, and how both genders are sold unrealistic ideals through porn and romantic comedies.
• Brie Larson’s character only has one line, yet plays a quietly observant role throughout the film, a decision made deliberately by Gordon-Levitt.

Inspirations and References

The movie is not based on a specific book but draws heavily from:

• Modern relationships and hookup culture
• Catholic guilt and confessional rituals
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s commentary on the fantasy vs. reality dichotomy in both porn and media
• Romantic comedy tropes, which it satirizes by making Barbara the embodiment of the “dream girl” cliché

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no publicly released alternate endings, but early drafts included a more melodramatic split between Jon and Barbara. One deleted scene featured Jon having a longer confession scene with a priest, digging deeper into his inner guilt, but it was cut to maintain pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Don Jon is not based on a book, but its narrative and themes have often been compared to modern relationship essays and critiques on media influence, such as Esther Perel’s work or Alain de Botton’s writings on love.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Jon’s confession montage: asking for forgiveness for “watching porn, again… multiple times.”
• The awkward but touching first real sexual moment with Esther.
• Barbara discovering Jon’s porn habit and the confrontation that follows.
• Jon’s narration about his routine life, filled with gym, church, porn, and meaningless sex.

Iconic Quotes

• Jon: “There’s only a few things I really care about in life. My body. My pad. My ride. My family. My church. My boys. My girls. And my porn.”
• Barbara: “Why would you watch porn when you could have sex with me?”
• Esther: “Real sex is better when you love the person.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Brie Larson’s character says almost nothing throughout the film but reacts meaningfully to every situation—her silence is deliberate.
• The repetition of Jon’s routine (gym, church, porn) visually reflects addiction and his lack of fulfillment.
• The movie’s title is a nod to the legendary womanizer Don Juan, updated for the 21st-century bro.

Trivia

• This was Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut.
• The porn clips shown in the movie were made specifically for the film to avoid using real material.
• The church confessional scenes were inspired by Gordon-Levitt’s own thoughts on guilt and modern morality.
• The film was originally titled Don Jon’s Addiction.

Why Watch?

Watch Don Jon if you want a smart, self-aware exploration of intimacy, modern romance, and emotional growth, wrapped in sharp dialogue and provocative humor. It challenges stereotypes, surprises you with heart, and gives a fresh take on the romantic dramedy genre.

Director’s Other Movies

• Don Jon is Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s only feature film as a director (as of now), though he has directed short films and music videos.
• He also runs the collaborative platform HitRecord, which produces creative multimedia content.

Recommended Films for Fans

• 500 Days of Summer (2009)
• Her (2013)
• Closer (2004)
• Blue Valentine (2010)
• Shame (2011)
• Sleeping with Other People (2015)