Hitchcock | Fast Lane Film

Sex comedy. Like, is that a real thing, a legit genre? If not, I just made it up – because that’s the best way to describe Don Jon, an entertaining movie that was all at once a farce, satire, romantic comedy, and character study.

I recently found myself zealously defending J. Gordon Levitt (Looper) on Twitter to someone who saw him presenting an award at the MTV VMAs and quipped, isn’t that the guy from Third Rock From the Sun, has he done anything since then? I replied with Inception, The Dark Knight Rises? Hello? Levitt is quite the gifted, young actor in my estimation. He brings a quiet, emotive sensitivity to his roles, and that vulnerability makes his characters more human and relatable. That sensitivity resonated in movies like 50/50 and 500 Days of Summer, which featured emotionally compelling lead characters. Well, Don Jon is a departure from those emo, heartwarming flicks for sure – though the ending may surprise you.

Don Jon marks Levitt’s debut as a writer/director, and I think viewers will find his style humorously authentic. Levitt stars as Jon, a young man who looks like he could’ve been on Jersey Shore. To my point, the movie is set in New Jersey and Jon is young, Italian, obsessed with his physique and always DTF (down to uh…let’s just say ‘fornicate’). At first blush Jon is a walking cliché: a young man obsessed with his sexual conquests and women in general. He and his friends go out prowling, and more often than not Jon is successful, at least in terms of “scoring.” By any other metric, Jon is lacking, though he is oblivious to his emotional ineptitude.

You see, Jon’s sexual identity and habits are largely shaped by the world of digital porn. His affinity for porn borders on compulsion. He’s like a walking boner – finding visual stimulation in the most innocuous of places, including the check out aisle of the grocery store. However, lest you think Jon lacks even a modicum of substance – his lifestyle departs from vapidity when we glimpse his love of church and family, which is hilariously juxtaposed with his sexual exploits.

Sometimes it takes a particular experience or person to help us achieve self-actualization in certain aspects of our lives. For Jon, meeting Barbara (Scarlett Johansson, Hitchcock) inadvertently changes his world. To say that Barbara is alluring would be an understatement, and her physical appearance draws him in immediately. Johansson and Levitt had magnetic chemistry, more than any pair I’ve witnessed recently. Initially Jon is content to bask in Barbara’s sheer hotness, but most relationships that begin with such aesthetic adulation end in disappointment, and Jon begins to question his perceptions about dating and intimacy. I don’t want to give away too much about the plot, but Julianne Moore (Crazy, Stupid, Love) is featured in a supporting role and perfectly adds to Jon’s character development, contrasting completely with Johansson’s more overt appeal.

I enjoyed Don Jon, because I thought it had a little more substance than people may give it credit for. Sure, it’s funny and a little raunchy. But it was also thoughtful, reflecting a depth of character that wasn’t readily apparent. J. Gordon Levitt has given us a peek at his wheelhouse, and I want to see more. This movie would make for a great date night, and unlike the typical rom-com: you won’t have to drag your man kicking and screaming. Grade: B+

The sequel is a cinematic curiosity. A good sequel is a logical and relevant continuation of the original movie. It may flesh out previously established characters or begin a new chapter in the series or franchise. I think The Godfather II is the best sequel ever made, because it provided a rich backstory while juxtaposing one storyline with another. I don’t expect the average sequel to come anywhere close to that lofty standard, especially in this age of Hollywood machinery. Most sequels nowadays are made simply because the studio wants to capitalize off the success of the original movie with a lucrative follow up. I’m sure that’s what the makers of Red 2 were thinking, but with a cast this impressive – you almost can’t go wrong.

Bruce Willis (Looper) returns as Frank, a retired CIA operative trying to live a quiet life with his girlfriend Sarah (Mary Louise Parker, Weeds). His peacefulness is short-lived when an old friend and former colleague Marvin (John Malkovich, Transformers: Dark of the Moon), approaches him urgently. Marvin thinks people are after him and that he and Frank should get out of Dodge, with Sarah in tow. Sarah is game for a little excitement, but Frank thinks Marvin is being paranoid and brushes him off. When Marvin turns up dead shortly after, things take an interesting turn. It turns out the two are suspected of being involved in an old covert mission called “Nightshade,” and some very dangerous people are upset about that supposed involvement. Frank is taken into custody after Marvin’s funeral, where agents detain and interrogate him. Inexplicably, another operative breaks into the facility to extract him, killing any agent that gets in his way.

It turns out that Marvin is alive after all, and he and Frank are now on the run. Nightshade has a lot of people up in arms, and there is a hit out on the pair. They must find out who’s trying to kill them and why, before it’s too late. Helen Mirren (Hitchock) returns as Victoria, and she too has been approached to eliminate Frank and Marvin. Fortunately, her loyalty is true and she forewarns her old friends that the heat is on. Their escapades take them to Europe, where Frank is reunited with an old flame Katja (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Side Effects), much to Sarah’s chagrin. Also joining the fray is Han (Byung-hun Lee, GI Joe: Retaliation) another contracted assassin with an impressive skillset – but what side is he really on?

I’ve tried not to reveal too much about the plot, but any further exposition is inconsequential to this review. The movie basically consists of a lot of spy vs. spy shenanigans, and it’s a fun ride. Although the plot was very different, Red 2 reminded me of Mr. & Mrs. Smith with its hijinks and effective blend of action and comedy. John Malkovich, Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren are veteran Oscar winning thespians, and it’s good to see them assembled in a light-hearted movie such as this. Bruce Willis is an ageless wonder, as I’ve stated before. Most of the cast is eligible for an AARP card, and it’s pretty entertaining to see the old guard still kicking ass. This made for an enjoyable day at the movies. Grade: B+