50/50 Review

"50/50"
Release Date: September 30, 2011
Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Screenplay by: Will Reiser
Rated R for language throughout, sexual content and some drug use
Review by: Sean Kayden

"50/50" is the story of an affable 27-year-old guy that becomes diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer and the events that take place afterward. Now you’re probably thinking a movie about cancer, how depressing. While it certainly has those moments, the movie is quite upbeat. It’s safe to say you can now abandoned any trepidation you may have had and devote your time to a truly special film. With strong performances from its key players, "50/50" is both endearing and good-hearted. Never is it cloying or heavy handed in its presentation of cancer. Will Reiser took his own real life experiences and adapted them into an incredibly strong screenplay. The third act of this movie will surely test your emotions while never feeling inauthentic, but remarkably honest. "50/50" is one of those rare films that can jungle both comedy and drama in perfect synchronicity. While it may not completely stick with you after it’s all said and done, odds are you’ll find something to like about 50/50 within its 99 minutes duration.

Joseph Gordon Levitt plays Adam, an amicable guy that works in radio. He’s currently have intimacy issues with his girlfriend, but other than that, life seems to be going fairly copasetic. Seth Rogen, (who’s undoubtedly way better as a supporting character than a leading man) plays Kyle, Adam’s perpetually horny best friend. Rogen is actually quite great here playing the comedic relief character. He’s never overbearing nor does he try to steal the show. A rather low key and restrained performance by a guy who can be either really funny or just plan annoying in movies. Levitt, on the other hand, plays the character with sharp precision and a great amount of self-awareness of the disease. Bryce Dallas Howard, portrays Rachel, Adam’s girlfriend who seems reluctant to care for him to the fullest. This leads to a few poor decisions on her part, which inevitably leads Adam not being able to deal with it anymore. Howard is great in her subtle performance, but there’s not much to like about her character (or the things her character ends up doing). She claims this cancer thing is too much for her to handle, but really, it’s the person diagnosed with it that has a hell of a lot harder time coping with it than any of the spectators. Anna Kendrick effortlessly slips into the character of Katherine, Adam’s super young therapist. You can get a sense that Katherine starts to show an affinity toward Adam, but knows that it’s unprofessional to do anything about it besides help him with his condition. If the movie takes any misguided steps, it’s the very “Hollywood”-esque outcome to what occurs between them. However, I can’t say that it doesn’t work. It’s what you’ll want in the end even if it feels a bit cliché.

Surprisingly, the movie is more about how others close to the person with the disease react rather than the one actually diagnosed with it. Adam finds himself breaking down in the third act of the movie when everything is on the line. He feels alone, scared, anxious and confused. Everything you could imagine about dealing with such a horrible (and unjust) disease. Despite these moments, "50/50" still remains rather optimistic. It carefully knows when to strike with flashes of sadness and positivity. "50/50" doesn’t hit you over the head with the idea of cancer and all it’s dreadful baggage, but shows you that the best medicine is both the love and support of the people close to you. The relationships and friendships of those in your life will ultimately prove to be the greatest healer of all.

Director Jonathan Levine has progressed further along in his filmmaking abilities.
Levine has a perennial future in Hollywood, that’s for sure. While "50/50" may not be his best film ("The Wackness" is undeniably a superbly underrated film), it is however one of the best of the year. Despite a few minor issues with the romantic aspects of the film, there’s little to knock about it as a whole. Honest, sincere, emotional when needed and genuine all around, "50/50" is simply just a great film. The odds are definitely stacked in your favor that you’ll come out of the theater feeling like a winner. What is it that you won you may ask? That really just depends on how much you’ve invested into the movie.

Grade: 4.5 out of 5

Published on October 8th, 2011 by Mountain Views News
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n41/p10.htm