Confident, stylish, intelligent

Rating: 9/10 (25 December 2015)

Don Jon is a movie of staggering confidence, artistic swagger, and biting humour. It is especially impressive for a directorial debut. Joseph Gordon Levitt's control of tone in the service of an important, carefully observed, and nuanced story is amazing. Note the difference in pace, editing, and camera-work as The title character learns to see sex and relationships in the new light. The actors are universally good, rising above stereotype to deliver performances of deep understanding. Especially notable is Scarlett Johansson who turns out to be a comedian of great precision. There isn't a false note in the whole picture, which is brought in at an admirably concise 87 minutes. Levitt is building a whole career on surprises and daring. I look forward to what ever he does text.