Directed by:
Jonathan LevineScreenplay:
Will ReiserCinematography:
Terry StaceyComposer:
Michael GiacchinoCast:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston, Serge Houde, Andrew Airlie, Matt Frewer, Philip Baker Hall (more)Plots(1)
Inspired by the personal experiences of Hollywood screenwriter Will Reiser, 50/50 stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen as best friends whose lives are changed by a cancer diagnosis. This heartwarming chronicle of a guy's transformative and yes, sometimes funny journey back to health reminds us that both friendship and love, no matter what bizarre turns they take, are the greatest healers. (Roadshow Entertainment)
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Reviews (11)
“I’m Adam Lerner, schwannoma neurofibrosarcoma.“ Another developmental stage of the bromance genre. Apatow’s comedy is intertwined with a “dying” melodrama. The boy-girl romantic storyline serves mainly as means of presenting the protagonist in greater detail, but it doesn’t answer the question of whether Adam’s girlfriends leave him melodrama because they’re bitches (as Kyle clearly believes) or because of his bland character and lack of will to change anything. Conversely, most of the truly touching moments are provided by the bromance storyline that sensibly uses Rogen’s committed (only?) position that he is a horny idiot and doesn’t care. He credibly complements Gordon-Levitt’s decent “I don't drink, I don’t smoke, I don't have a driver’s license” character (whose only bad habit is apparently biting his fingernails). The striking contrast between the two central characters is entertaining and their friendship is believable, while also offering two possible concepts of the human body – for survival/for satisfaction through pleasure. The laid-back pace of the narrative, sensitive incorporation of a serious subject into a comedy and the reduction of sentiment are definitely not qualities seen in every cinematic enrichment of oncological discourse. 50/50 not only enriches that, but also expands on it by putting a spotlight on false compassion and selfish unwillingness to take the negative with the positive, which is achieved through an initially likable girlfriend. Adam’s subsequent depressing loneliness casts doubt on the validity of the saying “live with people, die alone”. Some people are assholes, dying alone is a drag and living with a tumour involves pain, fatigue and vomiting. Banal, but true. The conveying of the knowledge that there may be no "after" was among the most powerful instance of such a message that I have ever experienced thanks to a film. Vastly superior to carcinogenic dramas. 85%
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When life writes powerful stories, they lend themselves to being watched. Seth Rogen did very well by persuading his friend to write the screenplay, and just as well when he took on his best role yet. Although we've seen him as a goofball before and since, he has found his ideal fit in this melancholic comedy where humanity shines alongside uncompromising lines. And because few people are better guides to realistic comedies than Joseph Gordon-Levitt, there is nothing left but to smile contentedly, wipe away a hidden tear, and say one thing: Life. Is. Good.
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Breaking with tradition, I will begin my comment about a good film by not recommending it. I don’t recommend watching 50/50 on a train. I watched in on the train and I was quietly tearing up by the end, having a hard time not to start sobbing in front of the other passengers. That would have embarrassing :-D. But about the film – very good. Joseph Gordon-Levitt confirms his quality as an actor, but I feel a little sorry for Bryce Dallas Howard, who this year has played an insufferable asshole in already two Oscar hopefuls and I think I will have her forever typecast in that character. The film parades a lot of emotions, from sadness to happiness and joy, it feels natural and sincere, without any award baiting cynicism. If it cut at the strongest moment right before the ending, I would go for five stars. I won’t say the ending ruins the very positive impression, but it does reduce it. Unfortunately. Ambiguity would be fitting for a film called 50/50.
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A movie about life, about everyday reality, problems that need solving and about not surrendering life like it’s some stupid game of tag. 50/50 is a great movie, a brutal tear-jerker, but it was very pleasant to watch. Especially because of the actors who were being just the way I want to know them; being true to themselves and distinctive. Everything in this movie was the right fit and once again, I was able to watch a movie that results in a tremendous joy of life. And that’ll really lift your spirits…
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Stumbling upon an American film about a serious illness and not being flooded by melodrama is such a remarkable event that it deserves proper recognition. The screenplay was excellent in how it managed to weave a fairly down-to-earth story with a decent dose of humor against the backdrop of drama (sometimes tragedy), allowing me to have an exceptionally good time. Moreover, I could easily relate to the main character because even though my situation is different in terms of diagnosis, the reactions of those around me were unfortunately very similar. Even today, I react extremely irritably to certain words, phrases, or expressions because a person can only handle a certain amount of empty words, which are seen as suitable for a specific situation. I just wish the ending was a bit more realistic. / Lesson learned: If you try, everything will be like it used to be. - Oh, come on! Be realistic.
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