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Joseph Gordon-Levitt

DON JON written and directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, with Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore. 90 minutes. A Touchwood release. Opens Friday (September 27). For venues and times, see listings.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is giving a new twist to the phrase “life imitates art.”

In Don Jon, his first outing as writer/director, the art at issue is skin flicks, and life refers to the sex life of porn addict protagonist Jon, who wishes all the women he meets could be just like the ones in his fave films.

The theme comes from his own experience as a Hollywood star from a young age.

“I worked in movies and TV all my life, so I’ve been aware of their influence,” says the articulate artist during the film’s TIFF premiere. “I’ve heard people say, If only life were like that movie,’ or, If only I had a person in my life like the one you played.’ They compare themselves to the simple fantasies they get from the screen.

“Real life is not as simple as that. It’s a million times more beautiful, with details and nuances you’ll miss if you’re busy comparing your life to simple stories.”

The casting of co-star Scarlett Johansson as Jon’s pushy love interest fit perfectly with Gordon-Levitt’s intentions.

On chewing gum as part of the role:

Download associated audio clip.

“This is a movie about media oversimplifying things when it comes to men and women, love and sex,” he says. “Scarlett is an acute example of that. She’s a smart woman, and yet the culture sees her only in terms of her looks.

On media influence:

Download associated audio clip.

On why a studio wouldn’t touch Don Jon:

Download associated audio clip.

“I actually thought of her playing this part from the beginning of the writing process. She’s so skilled and talented, and she has a unique ability to strike a balance between being funny and being sincere.”

In a separate interview, Johansson cites the reasons she signed on to the project. Gordon-Levitt’s passion was one of them.

“He’s open to the idea of collaborating. I was one of the first to read the script, and we worked together so we could lift the character off the page and colour her in. He had a vision, he knew what he wanted it to look like, he led the charge, and that kind of confidence is something I look for in every director.”

There’s also the fact that it wasn’t your average romantic comedy.

“I like the rom-com genre, but the films are too cliched,” she says. “It’s hard to find one that’s original, so I’ve stayed away from them. I don’t want to make something I’ve already seen.”

Audiences may be taken aback by Don Jon’s vivid sexual imagery. Gordon-Levitt doesn’t shy away from the material that’s having such an impact on Jon.

“I didn’t want you to feel like you were just watching this guy watching porn,” he explains when asked about replicating the blatant sexism. “You need his perspective. We sampled images from real porn, carefully editing and cropping them – there are no long swaths of pornography – and hopefully it puts the viewer inside Jon’s head.”

When we first meet Jon, he tends bar at a club, where he tries to pick up women as he works, and during the day pumps iron at the gym. Gordon-Levitt says he trained intensely to prepare for the role, bulking up while eating tons of protein.

But did he spend a lot of time doing research at meat market clubs?

“I didn’t need to go to the clubs. They’re pretty similar wherever you go.”

susanc@nowtoronto.com | @susangcole

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