Movie Reviews of DON JON and CONCUSSION by Howard Casner
Posted: October 3, 2013 | Author: Donald | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Concussion, Don Jon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julianne Moore, Robin Wiegert, Scarlett Johansson, Stacie Passon, Tony Danza | 43 Comments »John L. Sullivan: I want this picture to be a commentary on modern conditions. Stark realism. The problems that confront the average man!
LeBrand: But with a little sex in it.
John L. Sullivan: A little, but I don’t want to stress it.
Preston Sturges: Sullivan’s Travels
I recently saw two films written and directed by people who took some interesting and unique looks at sex and relationships in the new millennium. But though one welcomes the filmmakers’ attempts at exploring such “taboo” topics (as much as anything can really be considered “taboo” anymore), and though both at times offered bold and challenging takes on their subject matter, neither one really came together in a totally satisfying way. In fact, I suppose one could say that each ended on something of a limp note, which I suppose is appropriate for stories about pornography and prostitution.
The first, Don Jon, stars (in the title role), is written by, and is directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, which seems to fit perfectly with a movie about someone who masturbates a lot. It’s obviously a labor of love (and self love) on Gordon-Levitt’s part and it’s not without its pleasures, not all of which are onanistic.
It begins by making some incredibly forceful and insightful observations about sex. It certainly offers one of the best defenses of indulging in the viewing of adult filmmaking that I’ve ever heard. It even goes so far as to suggest that Nicholas Myer type movies are no more than porn for women (and again, makes a very, even scarily so, convincing argument for it—neither are remotely realistic looks at sex and relationships, and both are pure fantasy).
It then really goes for the jugular in what it has to say about male/female relationship (perhaps the most honest, if not depressing, view I’ve heard in some time, whether you agree with it or not). Men only want women for sex (even more alarming, in this metrosexual world, men don’t even need women to cook and clean for them—a revelation that causes Don’s girlfriend, played by a dynamic and dynamically sexy Scarlett Johansson, to freak out when she finds out that Don does his own housework; she knows a threat when she hears it). Meanwhile, women, knowing this, use sex to manipulate men into doing whatever they want. And the winner is whoever is most skilled at manipulating the opposite sex (sort of a bastardization of Shaw’s theory of the life force).
There are actually very exciting ideas, worthy of debate. Worthy of being asked. And Gordon-Levitt definitely asks them, and with a certain viciousness beneath the humor. But his ultimate answer is…well, rather conventional, even unoriginal, as it all kinda goes soft as the blood flows out of the organ in the second half.
This is because of Julianne Moore, playing Esther, a character who is, well, not really a real person, but more a construct needed to resolve all the issues brought up in the first half. Now, it’s easy to overlook the fact that she is no more than a construct because Moore is so good in the role, acting in a totally different, down to earth style from everyone else (if truth be told, Gordon-Levitt, Johansson, Tony Danza-as the steroid looking dad-and the others are fun, but they do tend to push things dangerously close to becoming caricatures). Moore plays a woman who has lost both her husband and child. Fair enough. But what makes her a construct is that she also plays someone who has more insight into sex and relationships than a Ph.D. in psychology would have, speaking in calm, motherly homilies while getting Don to change his hair style (she’s just as manipulative as Johansson’s character, but is less confrontational about it).
And at this point, Gordon-Levitt as a writer starts to cheat. When Esther asks Don why he likes porn, he doesn’t give her all the cogent arguments he gave at the beginning of the film. He gives her only one. And with that, a movie that started out giving us a very convincing case as to why the missionary position is the most unfulfilling one for men, becomes a movie that embraces that position as the only one than can deliver true sexual ecstasy (there’s one scene that suggests that Don is starting to question his church’s teachings; maybe so, but he still ends up embracing its positions on, uh, well, positions?).
But I have to applaud Gordon-Levitt. He went for the trifecta in making his film and even if he didn’t get a home run, he still ended up with a movie that is handsomely produced with some fine performances and some very funny scenes, as well as a film that makes some astute observations about sex.
Even if it does peter out in the end.
Concussion, written and directed by Stacie Passon, has a different set of issues. The story is about Abby, a typical stay at home mom type with the added twist that her significant other is also a woman. Abby gets hit in the head with a ball and is rushed to the E.R. As a result, she begins questioning the rather Stepford like existence she’s been leading and finds herself drifting into the life of a prostitute.
Well, actually, that’s part of the rub. You see, the only way I would have known most of this is because I was told this before the movie began.
Concussion is one of those movies that begins in the middle of act one. We know nothing about Abby or what she’s like before the accident, so we have no context to judge what happens to her afterward (we don’t even see the accident itself). So is she a nice, lovable Donna Reed type who turns into the Wicked Witch of the West, or was she always the Wicked Witch (as she seems from the first scene) and after being beaned, she slowly begins to mellow and become nicer and more open to life as she drifts into the world’s oldest profession? I don’t know. I mean, even after half the movie had gone by and Passon seems to imply it’s what is behind Curtain No. 2, I still wasn’t sure.
And none of the other characters are any help, damn them. No one remarks that Abby is acting different in any way, which suggests, ipso facto, that there is no change. And if there isn’t, then what was the point of the accident, as well as the title?
The whole thing seems highly influenced by Luis Bunuel’s Belle de Jour, also about a middle-class housewife (played by the great Catherine Deneuve) who is unfulfilled and becomes a lady of the afternoon. Concussion doesn’t reach the level of Bunuel’s film (what movie could). But Passon is also not that strong with pacing and the movie is a bit slow in parts. One of the ironies is that Bunuel never really shows the sex (it’s all suggested and kept off screen), while Passon fills the screen with a series of encounters that are dwelt on in a protracted manner. But Bunuel’s film seems so wicked and erotic, while Passon’s seems listless and emotionally uninvolving.
Concussion also goes soft in the same way Don Jon does. Abby seems to find a new freedom, a new way of looking at life. She becomes her own person and finds new ways of relating to people, all of which start to look good on her (Robin Wiegert as Abby is often very appealing in the way she struggles to come to terms with how she is changing). But when the secrets seep out, suburban morality once again rears its head and Abby opts for the comfort of Cheever/Updyke normality (at least I think that’s how Concussion ends—there’s a quick flash of Abby with some of the other characters that may indicate a different ending, but it went by so fast, I couldn’t tell if it was a flashback or a flashforward).
In Concussion this return to normality is symbolized by a wrap around porch. In Don Jon, it’s symbolized by the missionary position. But a rose by any other name, I guess.
43 Comments on “Movie Reviews of DON JON and CONCUSSION by Howard Casner”
Leave a Reply
REAL Short Box Subscribe!
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More on that Topic: rumblespoon.com/wp/2013/movie-reviews-of-don-jon-and-concussion-by-howard-casner/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More on that Topic: rumblespoon.com/wp/2013/movie-reviews-of-don-jon-and-concussion-by-howard-casner/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More here to that Topic: rumblespoon.com/wp/2013/movie-reviews-of-don-jon-and-concussion-by-howard-casner/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Info to that Topic: rumblespoon.com/wp/2013/movie-reviews-of-don-jon-and-concussion-by-howard-casner/ […]
Dear immortals, I need some wow gold inspiration to create.
Dear immortals, I need some wow gold inspiration to create.
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
I simply couldn’t depart your website before suggesting that I extremely loved the usual info an individual provide in your visitors? Is gonna be again continuously in order to check out new posts
The subsequent time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I do know it was my choice to read, however I truly thought youd have one thing attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could possibly fix if you werent too busy searching for attention.
This will be a great website, could you be interested in doing an interview about just how you developed it? If so e-mail me!
I have realized some new issues from your internet site about pcs. Another thing I have always presumed is that laptop computers have become an item that each family must have for a lot of reasons. They offer convenient ways to organize households, pay bills, go shopping, study, pay attention to music and in some cases watch tv series. An innovative way to complete these tasks is a mobile computer. These computer systems are mobile ones, small, robust and mobile.
I?ve recently started a site, the info you offer on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. Thanks
I just added this site to my feed reader, excellent stuff. Can not get enough!
Thanks for some other informative web site. Where else may I am getting that kind of information written in such an ideal way? I have a project that I am just now running on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.
Top Stage Hypnotist for hire Kristian von Sponneck performs private stage hypnosis shows anywhere in the UK, Europe or worldwide. Hire hime for your next event!
I have observed that over the course of developing a relationship with real estate homeowners, you’ll be able to get them to understand that, in each and every real estate exchange, a payment is paid. In the end, FSBO sellers never “save” the fee. Rather, they try to win the commission by means of doing a great agent’s job. In doing this, they devote their money plus time to conduct, as best they could, the tasks of an representative. Those duties include getting known the home by means of marketing, showing the home to willing buyers, creating a sense of buyer desperation in order to induce an offer, arranging home inspections, managing qualification checks with the financial institution, supervising maintenance tasks, and aiding the closing of the deal.
Thanks for the different tips contributed on this site. I have realized that many insurance agencies offer customers generous savings if they favor to insure more and more cars together. A significant variety of households possess several motor vehicles these days, particularly people with elderly teenage children still located at home, plus the savings in policies may soon mount up. So it pays to look for a bargain.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?
I have realized that of all forms of insurance, health insurance is the most marked by controversy because of the conflict between the insurance coverage company’s necessity to remain afloat and the user’s need to have insurance plan. Insurance companies’ commission rates on health plans are very low, therefore some providers struggle to profit. Thanks for the strategies you talk about through this website.
Thanks, I have recently been searching for facts about this topic for ages and yours is the best I’ve found so far.
Thanks for the something totally new you have unveiled in your text. One thing I want to comment on is that FSBO interactions are built after some time. By launching yourself to owners the first weekend their FSBO will be announced, prior to masses commence calling on Wednesday, you produce a good association. By mailing them resources, educational elements, free reports, and forms, you become a strong ally. If you take a personal affinity for them as well as their situation, you create a solid link that, most of the time, pays off once the owners opt with a representative they know and also trust – preferably you.
Thanks for the concepts you are revealing on this blog site. Another thing I’d like to say is that often getting hold of duplicates of your credit profile in order to look at accuracy of each and every detail is the first action you have to accomplish in credit restoration. You are looking to thoroughly clean your credit reports from damaging details errors that spoil your credit score.
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.
The subsequent time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, however I really thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you might repair in the event you werent too busy on the lookout for attention.
Good write-up, I?m regular visitor of one?s site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Thanks for the suggestions you reveal through your blog. In addition, quite a few young women who become pregnant don’t even try and get health care insurance because they are concerned they couldn’t qualify. Although a lot of states right now require that insurers give coverage in spite of the pre-existing conditions. Prices on all these guaranteed options are usually bigger, but when thinking about the high cost of health care bills it may be a new safer strategy to use to protect your financial future.
you’re in reality a excellent webmaster. The site loading velocity is amazing. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a great activity on this topic!
Spot on with this write-up, I actually assume this website needs rather more consideration. I?ll most likely be once more to learn far more, thanks for that info.
Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice methods and we are looking to swap methods with other folks, be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.
I have learned some new items from your site about pc’s. Another thing I have always thought is that computer systems have become a specific thing that each house must have for some reasons. They supply you with convenient ways to organize households, pay bills, shop, study, pay attention to music and in some cases watch shows. An innovative strategy to complete many of these tasks is with a computer. These computer systems are portable ones, small, effective and mobile.
Thanks for the ideas you have discussed here. Something else I would like to mention is that computer memory needs generally go up along with other improvements in the engineering. For instance, when new generations of processor chips are introduced to the market, there’s usually a matching increase in the shape calls for of both the computer memory and hard drive space. This is because the program operated by way of these processor chips will inevitably rise in power to make use of the new technologies.
I will right away grab your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share. Kudos!
Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.
Terrific paintings! This is the kind of information that are supposed to be shared around the internet. Disgrace on Google for no longer positioning this post upper! Come on over and talk over with my site . Thank you =)
Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thanks However I am experiencing issue with ur rss . Don?t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar rss problem? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.
Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Thanks
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favourite justification appeared to be on the internet the easiest thing to have in mind of. I say to you, I definitely get irked whilst other people consider concerns that they plainly do not recognize about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as smartly as outlined out the whole thing without having side-effects , other people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
One more issue is that video games are generally serious naturally with the major focus on learning rather than entertainment. Although, it comes with an entertainment feature to keep your kids engaged, each one game is normally designed to develop a specific group of skills or program, such as instructional math or scientific research. Thanks for your article.
Thanks for your intriguing article. One other problem is that mesothelioma is generally brought on by the inhalation of fibers from asbestos fiber, which is a extremely dangerous material. It truly is commonly witnessed among personnel in the structure industry who have long exposure to asbestos. It’s also caused by moving into asbestos protected buildings for a long period of time, Inherited genes plays a crucial role, and some individuals are more vulnerable on the risk in comparison with others.