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Is it worth $10? Yes
You don’t hear this often because his movies are generally hit-or-miss, but thank goodness for Seth Rogen. He provides “50/50,” a dramedy about a seemingly healthy young man’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, with the perfect amount of levity. Because Rogen makes us laugh when we need it, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is so good as the suffering Adam, the movie is an emotional, inspiring success.
By the books, Adam does everything right. He doesn’t smoke or drink, and exercises regularly. While jogging, he even stops to wait for the “Don’t Cross” sign to turn off even though there’s no traffic at the intersection. And so it comes as a great surprise to him and his family when he’s diagnosed with advanced spinal cancer and prescribed four months of chemotherapy to shrink the very large tumor.
Adam’s girlfriend Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard) wants to be supportive but doesn’t know how, and his mother (Anjelica Huston) is, to say the least, overbearing. At least his good friend Kyle (Rogen) has his back, even if Kyle is consumed by the idea of using the cancer to get chicks.
Adam also finds solace in Katherine (Anna Kendrick), his psychiatrist, whom it’s clear he’d like to know better if his health permits. But in a situation like this there is no fairness, so Adam doesn’t get to enjoy the exuberances of late-20s craziness that serve to sow wild oats. No, for him the only poisonous substance in his system is chemo, which causes him to throw up all night for reasons that aren’t any fun at all.
Director Jonathan Levine takes the movie seriously because he has to, so rest assured no one who’s suffered from cancer or seen a loved one go through the ordeal will be offended by trivialities (and yes, I do speak from experience). To bring this point home we have Mitch (Matt Frewer) and Alan (Philip Baker Hall), two older gentlemen whom Adam befriends while receiving treatment. Lest we think we’re just getting the anomaly of young Adam, Mitch and Alan are here to make things palpably – and at times, delightfully – real.
The rumors say Gordon-Levitt jumped into the role after James McAvoy bailed less than a week before production started, and that turned out to be great news for us. Adam is sympathetic and likeable, and when he gets angry he has every right to be. In fact, Adam handles the situation better than most of us probably would, and because of that he’s inspiring, too. And, best of all, he has Rogen’s Kyle by his side to make him smile, which makes us smile.
“50/50” is certainly not a movie everyone will be able to handle, but it is smart, sensitive, respectful and touching. If you’re going to make a “cancer comedy,” this is the way to do it.
Did you know?
The story is inspired by real events: Rogen’s friend Will Reiser was diagnosed with cancer when they were both in their early 20s, and Reiser wrote the film’s script.
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sassie123
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... Loved the movie....went with a friend whose mother has cancer and was worried about his reactions but he too enjoyed it and went back to see it twice after!! |
lea724
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... I agree with Dru-Star: this was a great movie. I also thought that Anjelica Huston stole the show with every scene she was in. I couldn't take my eyes off her. |
Dru_Star
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... This is one of the best movies of 2011 It was so good I saw it twice. I'd pay to see this film Go watch it |
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