50/50 (2011)

Wow! Such a good movie.

This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

This movie reminds me of "500 days of summer" in all the best ways. Great acting, great cinematography and such a charming, funny and heartbreaking story so full of life. Even tho the main character is infact dying, you end up feeling more alive then ever.

Tragic comedies have the reputation of crossing certain lines that make people feel uncomfortable. By harmonizing both tragedy and comedy, people often have no idea how to feel. That is not the case with 50/50. With every depressing twist, there's always a laugh following and you find yourself loving it. It's a 'feel good' movie but with life lessons intertwined. Will Reiser, the screenplay writer, bases the experiences of the main character, Adam (Joseph Gordon- Levitt), on his own personal incidents. Adam learns he has a very rare and deadly cancer in his back. Since the doctors are unware as to when the cancer will take Adam's life, the constant worry as to when it might happen keeps audiences at the edge of their seat.Seth Rogen, who plays Adam's best friend, displays an imposing performance as always. His involuntary wit and canniness adds sparkle to Adam's depressing life. Adam's girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard) insists on being the type to deal with illness when it's quite obvious she isn't. This causes troubles within the film – but interesting troubles that the audience can easily correlate with. While Adam is dealing with other saddening issues in his life, his mother is dealing with them as well. Adam's father has dementia and his mother has a hard time not having the opportunity of smothering Adam in his time of need. This adds an emotional aspect to the film that you would have never expected. Each event that takes place is extremely down-to-earth and understandable. You find yourself laughing, developing anger, feeling weak, and finding relief all in the one hour and 40 minutes. Certain incidents in the film are what society would call corrupt or perverse but that is what makes it so digestible - we all have been in the same situations. On top of that you also have some insight on things you have not yet realized. You come out of the movie gaining an agonizing experience that you would not have received elsewhere. It's not a shock that Joseph Gordon-Levitt received 'Actor of the Year' for his acting within this movie. His realistic acting skills blew the audience away while portraying the character. Throughout the movie, you get to see the 5 stages of grief as he learns about the cancer. There's never any question as to which stage he occupies - from his dramatic outbursts, to his constant laughing, to his helpless vibe, Gordon-Levitt expresses each emotion perfectly. The originality of the movie is excellent despite the one element that happens in almost every film regarding this genre. When Adam first meets his therapist Katherine (Anna Kendrick) you quickly assume that at some point or another the two will begin to have feelings for each other. Apparently, Hollywood still won't stray away from the whole 'guys and girls can't just be friends' kind of thing. Through therapy you see Adam begin to become more flirtatious towards Katherine while she tries to stay as professional as possible. This part of the plot flows well nicely with the whole movie but it tends to be a little predictable. Other than this, originality pours out of Reiser's creation. Various lessons are learned in unique ways throughout the film and you find yourself a different person after.

50/50 (2011) is a different take of a serious drama (with mixed comedic elements) from Seth Rogen. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is heartbreaking yet understated as twenty-something cancer sufferer Adam, though at many times his character comes off as completely unlikable which makes it hard to root for him.Though within the film, Seth Rogen's as the best friend Kyle steals majority of the film with his typical wise cracks and Seth Rogen type humor. I can understand many people disliking his character but there is a certain charm to it, and his character elevates the film. 50/50 has been praised for its serious topic surrounding cancer and the method in which the film goes about it. Although the film is predictable (in the end), it is quite an interesting take.

Cancer survivor and screenwriter Will Reiser provides us a great and entertaining dramedy about a difficult topic in 50/50.This film that stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Morgen together with Anna Kendrick,Bryce Dallas Howard and Anjelica Houston provides us a story about young man's battle with cancer.It was loosely based on Reiser's own personal experience when he himself was battling with cancer himself.The story involves Adam,who happens to be a public radio journalist in Seattle who happens to be in a relationship with Rachael and bestfriends with Kyle.After experiencing back pains,he goes to a doctor to consult about it.Later,it was revealed by his doctor that he is suffering from schwannoma neurofibrosarcoma or having cancerous tumor in the spine.It was later learned that Adam's chances of survival is 50% or 50/50 as the movie's title suggest.The screenplay revolves around how he battles with cancer from his friendship with his best buddy,his relationship with his girlfriend,the friends he met at chemotherapy who happens to be cancer patients themselves,his relationship with his mother, and his awkward relationship with his psychotherapist.Reiser's screenplay was definitely a great story about cancer patients.It was definitely moving and it captures the viewers' heart especially as we get through Adam's situation in battling cancer.We see how changes in his relationships take place.We definitely feel sorry for being young and immature in facing this disease as well as the lack of needed support he is getting from a loud-mouthed and dick bestfriend Kyle,his cheating girlfriend Rachael,his parents - a mother who constantly worries and a father who is suffering from the advanced stages of dementia - and his inexperienced psychotherapist Katherine,who apparently is more interested in having a date with him rather than helping him psychologically battle the situation he is currently facing.In the end,we feel happy for Adam as he managed to survive after undergoing an extremely dangerous situation despite the somewhat lack of support that he is getting around him. Added to that,it also provides a wonderful film that will serve as humorous inspiration for people who have cancer.