Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s feature directorial debut “Don Jon” — the film formerly known as “Don Jon’s Addiction” — whipped up a stir at Sundance with its graphic depiction of porn addiction in New Jersey. (TOH’s review here.)
In a recent story in the LA Times, Gordon-Levitt, who also stars as the title character, reveals that he cut some of the film’s explicit footage — he has made it clear that he always planned to achieve the distribution-friendly R-rating. Also starring Julianne Moore and Scarlett Johansson, the film premiered at Sundance to warm response despite its racy subject (The Playlist calls it “vulgar, hilarious and charming”). JGL takes the subject seriously, and has long wanted to explore issues of sexual objectification and the barriers between men and women (“Pain & Gain” director Michael Bay, take note.)
Relativity Media has slated the film for an October 18 release.
“The Sundance cut was us pushing it past where it really ought to be, and I think it was sort of distracting for audiences,” Gordon-Levitt said at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Regarding the new cut, he said, “The movie didn’t change in any substantial ways, other than those percussive moments of pornography are a little less sexually explicit and graphic.”
Read the full story here.
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