Discussing
Don Jon’s surprising stance on porn

Correction: As pointed out by a TC Facebook commenter, that fast-food ad actually exists. It was for Carl's Jr. and ran during this year's Super Bowl. Which actually makes the point about our porn-soaked culture better than a parody ad would.

I found the way the church is presented especially interesting for Christians. Each time Jon goes to confession, it's like a competition. He goes it, says his sins, and then finds out his punishment or score. Each of these times, the confessional curtain closes from the priest's perspective, inside the box. However, the last time he confesses, when he is given what seems to him to be an unfair punishment,the curtain closes on Jon. It made me feel like the church had failed him. He was just starting to ask questions (if it's the same priest, etc), and was actually proud of his accomplishments, but the priest didn't care.

Kudos for being the first Christian to have something charitable to say about this film--one I do not personally intend to see, but towards which I am at least now more charitably disposed. I know some who would lambast a Christian film reviewer who even watches stuff like this, but I applaud your ministry. It must take an especially mature spirit with a peculiar calling to expose yourself to worldly material like this and still be able to cull from it the aspects that most resonate with the Gospel.

Good observation, Ben. In general, I like how the movie makes church just another ritual in Jon's very rigid, structured life routine. He's as dedicated to church as he is to watching porn, really, but unlike porn it doesn't form his worldview at all. That's certainly an indictment.

Wanted to thank you for the review. I used it as reference material for our panel in the latest episode of our podcast at www.reelworldtheology.com. I also linked it there as well.

Thanks much!