Don Jon ***

Don Jon is a young Italian guy who really loves: his ride, his pad, his church, his one-night stands, and his porn. With a cocky bounce in his stride, he's the master of his domain. That is, until he meets Barbara (Scarlett Johansson). For once Don Jon strikes out with the most beautiful woman in the club. He pursues her until she catches him and they go steady - but no sex. Finally she gives in on the sex and proceeds to mold him to her own idea of the perfect mate, and he does his best to give up his porn.

Then one evening at night school (Barbara's idea), Jon meets an older woman, Esther (Julianne Moore). Something clicks, if you know what I mean, and they start to talk to each other like adults. For Jon it's a new world, and his discovery of intimacy versus lust is life changing.

Star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the kid from "Third Rock," veteran of so many outstanding performances in indie movies ("The Lookout," "Brick," "(500) Days of Summer") and recently in the big-budget arena ("Inception," "The Dark Knight Rises," "Looper") here writes and directs for the first time. Gordon-Levitt allows his co-stars to shine, and there's a lively role for Tony Danza as Don Sr. It's a fine effort, funny and warm and wise, and imbued with its own style.