50/50 [MA]

It seems that life is running along just fine for Adam: he’s in a nice relationship with his girlfriend Rachel, he has a good, manly companion in his best friend Kyle, and he is contentedly out of contact with his parents. But that all changes when he is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Soon Adam’s fine world is falling apart as Rachel finds it too hard to look after him, his mother is in a state of constant smothering, and Kyle is using his illness to pick up chicks. Yet through all this, Adam still finds a funny side and, although unprepossessing, his friendship with Kyle, the love of his parents, and a new found friend in his therapist might just prove to be enough to pull him through. 

Well I have to say that I don’t quite agree with this movie being classed as a comedy; hmm maybe in the traditional sense, there’s a happy and lovely ending and all. All in all I adored 50/50. Inspired by a true story, this movie is a wholly lovely film about how friendship and love can be a powerful weapon against the threat of death. It was really lovely!

 It seems that life is running along just fine for Adam: he’s in a nice relationship with his girlfriend Rachel, he has a good, manly companion in his best friend Kyle, and he is contentedly out of contact with his parents. But that all changes when he is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Soon Adam’s fine world is falling apart as Rachel finds it too hard to look after him, his mother is in a state of constant smothering, and Kyle is using his illness to pick up chicks. Yet through all this, Adam still finds a funny side and, although unprepossessing, his friendship with Kyle, the love of his parents, and a new found friend in his therapist might just prove to be enough to pull him through. 

The film’s comedy is very subtle, manifesting itself by way of the script, which is a very genuine and natural piece of work. Everything about this movie felt real: the writing, the performances, the chemistry between the cast, it was all very genuine and real. It’s hard to come by a film like this. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt must be applauded for his superb performance as the film’s protagonist. Joseph delivered a performance that was caring, charming, stricken, and completely natural. He brought me to tears more than once during this film. 

Starring Seth Rogen, and might I add it’s a nice change to see Seth doing a more dramatic movie, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Serge Houde, and Angelica Houston, 50/50 is a very powerful and deeply moving film filled with heavy uncertainty, drama, romance, friendship, romance, subtle comedy. You’ll giggle, you’ll cry; it’s really a very moving film and I greatly enjoyed it.