Another Movie About Sex

Over Fall break, I saw the movie Don Jon, and I have to say, I wasn't too impressed. This movie was written by Joseph Gordon Levitt and depicts a character who is addicted to porn and ultimately prefers pornography over sex. Although there is definitely character development, I found some serious plot holes in this film. For example, Scarlett Johansson's character, Barbara is greatly emphasized in the beginning of the movie and the trailer, but by the end she is somewhat irrelevant to the plot line as a whole. From their initial introduction, Jon feels very attracted to her in the way that he has never been to anyone before. She represents a beautiful, seductive girl that everyone thinks is perfect for him (especially his family). Although he is falling in love with her, he still finds pornography to be more fulfilling. He tries to quit, but can't bring himself to do it. Ultimately, Barbara catches him watching pornography and accuses him of being addicted. They eventually break up, and that's the end of that. Totally independent of his situation with Barbara, Don starts talking to an older women in his night class named Esther (Julianne Moore).

Esther is very different from Barbara, as when she catches Jon watching porn on his phone, she surprises him with a 70s porn DVD during their next class. They start to hit it off and the relationship he forms with her is very different from his relationship with Barbara. After getting to know her and spending more time with her, he learns that Esther lost her son and husband in a car accident. She explains to him that the reason he is so addicted to porn over sex is because it is a one-sided affair. He has to be willing to let go with another person to let it be a two sided street. Therefore, because they are both somewhat disconnected, they form a pretty strong relationship. The other problem I had with this movie however, is that there doesn't really seem to be a conclusion in the end. It is never clarified if Jon gets over his addiction to sex or if he is just okay with it and continues to date Esther. Ultimately, I don't really think this movie has much of a point. The progression is somewhat disoriented and Esther isn't introduced until about halfway through the film. The two girls are completely unrelated and I'm not sure if or how they are supposed to connect. By the end of the film, Jon realizes some things about himself from Esther, but he doesn't really change as a person. I guess that's the biggest point I got out of it, that Esther accepts him for who he is, while Barbara was trying to change him. He says from the very beginning, "there are 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."

Still Alice

Still Alice is documents the life of a Alice Howland, a renowned linguistics professor who receives a diagnosis of Early On-set Alzheimers Disease. Throughout the film Alice and her family bond are tested. Alice's struggle to stay connected with who she once was is extremely heart breaking, and in some aspects inspiring. 

Julianne Moore, played this role absolutely without faults. She captured the persona of Alice Howland, and portrayed emotionally the obstacle of losing intellect and memory. By no means necessary is this film easy to watch. The film is built off of the emotional reactions from the audience. Director Richard Glazer and Wash Westmoreland, do just by the book (written by Lisa Genova) by maintaining a steady tone. Because the film is shot mostly using warm colors the emotions are very subtle and build throughout the film.

I appreciate that the film focuses on Alice’s experience with Alzheimers, it makes the film more authentic and relatable, and also makes the message more clear to the audience by the end. Although this film will bring tears to the bravest of souls it illustrates that in the bigger picture its much easier to enjoy the simple things. 

Keep this film in mind for a rainy day, it's definitely a great one! 

xoxo, 

Krystal