50/50 (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
'50/50', inspired by a true story & directed by Jonathan Levine, stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Adam; a 27 yr. old writer for public radio in Seattle. The title of this film refers to his survival chances; as he is informed that he has a rare form of spinal cancer. And the people in his life react to this awful news in varying ways. His artist girlfriend, Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard), pledges to stand by him, but embarks upon an affair with a hippie. She seems to care for Adam, but didn't sign up to be a nurse. She also no longer loves him; and to me, she felt that the 'cancer' was a trap for her to stick it out with him. For encouragement & support, Adam then turns to his best buddy, Kyle (Seth Rogen), who tries to keep Adam's spirits high by joking with him & trying to get him laid. Adams' mom (Anjelica Huston) goes into smothering mode despite also caring for her Alzheimer's-afflicted husband.
She wants to be there for Adam, but the last thing he needs now is hysterics. While in chemo, he meets 2 new friends: Mitch & Alan (Philip Baker Hall); the latter offering blunt, dry wit in light of their dire situations. And the last person attached to Adam is his newly appointed cancer therapist, Katherine (Anna Kendrick), whose inexperience, but open-heartedness strikes a chord with him. She's initially overeager to help, and they struggle early on. But once they find their groove, both realize that: if he didn't have this life-threatening cancer, maybe they would have made for a good couple down the road. The film chronicles the struggles Adam faces as he tries to beat the cancer. 50% of this film is made for laughs (to cut the seriousness), but the other 50% is brutally emotional, indeed.
Let me get this out of the way. I really enjoyed '50/50'. That said, there are a handful of issues that prevent me from calling it 'great'. Aside from the outcome of Adam's climactic surgery, this film is quite predictable. There's nothing 'wrong' with that. I enjoyed what I watched. But my cognizance of the building predictabilities was on high alert; when I should have just been organically enjoying each scene. I knew Adam would go through the emotional spectrum that one does when they are young & have cancer (including the Anger Stage; where Adam acts like a complete dick to his ex-girlfriend & his mother. Me no likey.). I also knew that his girlfriend would cheat before it happened. I knew he'd fall for his therapist; and vice-versa. I knew ther'd be some older cancer patients who try to imbue Adam with both humor & a biting sense of reality through the chemotherapy.
I also thought that some of the comedy missed the mark. i.e., lots of the 'let's get Adam laid' parts. BUT, the overwhelming feeling I take away from '50/50' is highly positive. Though there is a high humor quotient in this drama, the screenplay never loses sight of the characters. Joseph Gordon-Levitt - stepping into the role last minute, for James McAvoy - is great, here. I didn't always care for his Adam, but the performance hits hard, nevertheless (including a STRONG standing face-to-face with mortality scene late in the film). JGL is capable of broad acting, nuance, & everything in-between. He's never disappointed me. And I liked the easy chemistry btwn. him & Anna Kendrick's Katherine. Seth Rogen does his usual shtick. But a plot device (a certain book in his bathroom) eradicated any iffy feelings I may have initially had about the character. And I loved Anjelica Huston's turn as Adam's understandably concerned mom.
The authenticity of the film is one of its strongest attribute, as well. As mentioned, this film is based on a true story. And Seth Rogen, himself, knew/knows the man who was afflicted with the spinal cancer. So for Rogen, '50/50' is more than just some standard dramedy. The fragile mix of comedy, drama, & potential-tragedy is handled well. The sweet parts make me forgive the crude ones. There's a vulnerability to the main characters that is appealing. I laughed a lot at some of the comic moments. And I was moved by the dark/angry/sad elements in the film. The last thing I'll say is: for ONCE, I think that the poignant final Act was the strongest segment of the film. Most movies start out strong & then fizzle. This film did the reverse for me; which is pretty awesome.
She wants to be there for Adam, but the last thing he needs now is hysterics. While in chemo, he meets 2 new friends: Mitch & Alan (Philip Baker Hall); the latter offering blunt, dry wit in light of their dire situations. And the last person attached to Adam is his newly appointed cancer therapist, Katherine (Anna Kendrick), whose inexperience, but open-heartedness strikes a chord with him. She's initially overeager to help, and they struggle early on. But once they find their groove, both realize that: if he didn't have this life-threatening cancer, maybe they would have made for a good couple down the road. The film chronicles the struggles Adam faces as he tries to beat the cancer. 50% of this film is made for laughs (to cut the seriousness), but the other 50% is brutally emotional, indeed.
Let me get this out of the way. I really enjoyed '50/50'. That said, there are a handful of issues that prevent me from calling it 'great'. Aside from the outcome of Adam's climactic surgery, this film is quite predictable. There's nothing 'wrong' with that. I enjoyed what I watched. But my cognizance of the building predictabilities was on high alert; when I should have just been organically enjoying each scene. I knew Adam would go through the emotional spectrum that one does when they are young & have cancer (including the Anger Stage; where Adam acts like a complete dick to his ex-girlfriend & his mother. Me no likey.). I also knew that his girlfriend would cheat before it happened. I knew he'd fall for his therapist; and vice-versa. I knew ther'd be some older cancer patients who try to imbue Adam with both humor & a biting sense of reality through the chemotherapy.
I also thought that some of the comedy missed the mark. i.e., lots of the 'let's get Adam laid' parts. BUT, the overwhelming feeling I take away from '50/50' is highly positive. Though there is a high humor quotient in this drama, the screenplay never loses sight of the characters. Joseph Gordon-Levitt - stepping into the role last minute, for James McAvoy - is great, here. I didn't always care for his Adam, but the performance hits hard, nevertheless (including a STRONG standing face-to-face with mortality scene late in the film). JGL is capable of broad acting, nuance, & everything in-between. He's never disappointed me. And I liked the easy chemistry btwn. him & Anna Kendrick's Katherine. Seth Rogen does his usual shtick. But a plot device (a certain book in his bathroom) eradicated any iffy feelings I may have initially had about the character. And I loved Anjelica Huston's turn as Adam's understandably concerned mom.
The authenticity of the film is one of its strongest attribute, as well. As mentioned, this film is based on a true story. And Seth Rogen, himself, knew/knows the man who was afflicted with the spinal cancer. So for Rogen, '50/50' is more than just some standard dramedy. The fragile mix of comedy, drama, & potential-tragedy is handled well. The sweet parts make me forgive the crude ones. There's a vulnerability to the main characters that is appealing. I laughed a lot at some of the comic moments. And I was moved by the dark/angry/sad elements in the film. The last thing I'll say is: for ONCE, I think that the poignant final Act was the strongest segment of the film. Most movies start out strong & then fizzle. This film did the reverse for me; which is pretty awesome.