Film Review: 50/50

About 50/50 (2011)Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen team up to beat the odds in a film that Rolling Stone calls achingly hilarious and heartfelt. Diagnosed with spinal cancer, 27 year old Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) navigates the road to recovery with the sometimes overbearing support of his crude best friend (Rogen), his smothering mother (Angelica Huston) and an inexperienced therapist (Anna Kendrick). Inspired by a true story of writer Will Reiser, 50/50 is an honest yet hysterically funny account of a young man’s journey toward healing.

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Anjelica Huston, Bryce Dalllas Howard

Directed by: Jonathan Levine

Runtime: 100 minutes

Studio: Summit Entertainment

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Review: 50/50

Based on a true story Jonathan Levine’s comedy drama tells the story of Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a journalist, whose life is turned upside down when he is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the age of 27. Living with his artist girlfriend, Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard), and reliant on his best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen), Adam undergoes chemotherapy and begins a long and painful journey in the hope of recovering from his illness, each day becoming ever more aware of his fragile mortality.

Adam’s life is fine at the outset. He has a good friendship with Kyle and his relationship with Rachael is becoming serious but once he becomes ill this puts a strain on the two of them. Kyle stands by his friend but it becomes increasingly difficult for Rachael to do the same. While undergoing chemotherapy Adam becomes friends with fellow cancer patients Alan (Philip Baker Hall) and Mitch (Matt Frewer), and is also given hope in the form of a young therapist Katherine (Anna Kendrick), who Adam is sent to talk through his issues while he is being treated. Adam’s personal life crumbles all around him as the months go by and relationships with his girlfriend, best friend and mother (Anjelica Huston) are all severely tested. In the end you will be left wondering whether Adam will overcome his illness.

50/50 finds the perfect balance with the myriad of emotions it manages to convey. The character of Kyle brings us the light relief we need on occasion and is well played by Seth Rogen but it is Gordon-Levitt, who was cast very late in the day, who excels in his portrayal of Adam. 50/50 manages to be both funny and extremely moving at the same time. Great films have the ability to deliver poignancy not just in words but in actions. One of the most moving moments is when a now bald headed Adam carries an inebriated Kyle home and finds in his apartment evidence of just how seriously Kyle has been taking his friend’s illness and how much he wants to help him through it. Rachael is the girlfriend you will come to hate for how she treats Adam while Katherine is the wonderful therapist you will want Adam to be with. I won’t say how this one ends, only that some may need tissues on standby.

50/50 is a very well made account of one young man who faces a difficult illness and discovers who in his life he can rely on to try and help him through it. A great cast deliver a fine array of performances and the film in itself has so many notable scenes that will resonate with you long after the final credits have rolled. Highly recommended.

Verdict: 5/5

(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)

About the Author:

I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.

David M. Brown – who has written 829 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.

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