Rated R for some drug use, language throughout and sexual content
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston
Director: Jonathan Levine
The tricky thing about blessings is that they're difficult to spot. They are all around us, but often require a shift in perspective in order to zero in on. Sometimes that shift comes in innocuous forms, other times in more drastic embodiments... a life-altering medical diagnosis, for example.
This was the case for Will Reiser, a comedy writer ("Da Ali G Show") who was diagnosed with a rare, operable form of cancer in his twenties. "50/50" is loosely based on his own story, and focuses on his relationships as he undergoes treatment in the hopes of an outcome adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Labeling the film a "cancer movie" is a bit limiting and isn't really being fair, though perhaps unavoidable. While it's not quite as sharp and penetrating as Mike Nichols' "Wit" or doesn't possess the sentimental resonance of the most highly-regarded films of its type ("Terms of Endearment," "Brian's Song"), it nonetheless skillfully blends drama and humor into a heartfelt awakening of perspective.
The movie stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Adam Lerner, a segment producer for NPR who lives his life with manifest caution... he eats right, exercises regularly, obeys all crosswalk signs when jogging, and never learned to drive for fear of an accident. Yet all his prudent acts of self-preservation didn't shield him from a cancer diagnosis during a doctor visit for back pains. He informs his closest confidants, though comes to realize he hasn't many. They include Kyle (Seth Rogen) whose comic excess sometimes wears thin even though the engaging goofball does offer a somewhat effective reprieve from the monotony of day-to-day life. ("Fifty-fifty, that's not so bad," Kyle offers upon hearing the prognosis. "If you were a casino game, you'd have like the best odds." He later sees it as a prime opportunity to score with the ladies.) Adam also tells his live-in girlfriend, Rachel (Bryce Dallas Howard), an artist who genuinely wants to be supportive though struggles with the immoderate change required in supporting a loved one facing such a dire medical circumstance. Adam dreads telling his mother (Angelica Huston), fearing her level of worry and the fact that she works tirelessly to care for Adam's father (Serge Houde) who is suffering from Alzheimer's.
Adam is noticeably rocked by the news, though seems more preoccupied with how his close ones will react. He offers Rachel an "out" to which she refuses, yet we wonder if she'll possess the emotional strength to stand by him. He does inform his mother, then strives to perpetually keep her at arm's length in a misguided effort to maintain his own peace of mind. To help him cope, he begins seeing a hospital-staff psychologist named Katherine McKay (Anna Kendrick), who he is surprised to learn is a mere twenty-four years old and working toward her doctorate. She's a kind, well-meaning soul though her naivete is in full view. ("Aren't you supposed to be wearing an earth-toned sweater and be sixty-five years old?" Adam jokes. "Why, did someone say I look like that?" is her reply.) He also befriends two fellow chemotherapy patients (Philip Baker Hall and Matt Frewer) who introduce Adam to the wondrous world of medicinal marijuana.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has carved an impressive career playing quirky, off-beat characters in more independent fare, even though he's perfectly capable of leading man material. (He came remarkably close to stealing the hero persona away from Leonardo DiCaprio in "Inception.") He makes Adam stoic enough to earn our respect while keeping him human enough to obtain our sympathy. His strongest moment comes just as he's about to be wheeled in for surgery. He has maintained a surprisingly steadfast poker face throughout most of the ordeal, yet we see a quick surge of panic as the anesthesia is first administered; the possibility of this being the end takes hold.
The movie's comic relief is primarily offered through Seth Rogen's performance playing the familiar Rogen shtick. I sense this is done almost by necessity as anything else. If the script had given his character a more nuanced arc that ran parallel to Adam's, it might have thrown the film off-balance. We know Kyle considers his friendship to Adam more important than he lets on; we don't need to have that spelled out for us. As Dr. McKay, Anna Kendrick strikes a nice balance between attempting to keep the doctor-patient relationship professional and inching toward a union that we sense she needs as much as Adam does. We're tempted to judge Bryce Dallas Howard's Rachel for not being able to support Adam, but she's not heartless per se. Situations like this are tough for every loved one; some are better equipped to handle it than others... Rachel just doesn't have the right makeup to adjust to the situation. I imagine there are lots of people like that. And Anjelica Huston expresses the kind of maternal love that can only be accepted, for trying to assuage it only makes it grow.
I fear I've made the movie sound much more melancholic than it is. Yes, there are somber moments, but there are just as many humorous bits that offset the heaviness. That the film doesn't tilt too far in either direction comes as little surprise; balancing the two can't involve extremes. At the core is the simple yet comforting realization that happiness is never too far away. Poor people don't dream of being rich; they dream of not worrying about being poor. Lonely people don't dream of being popular; just of having a sole companion with whom they can share simple moments of joy. And sick people don't dream of being world-class athletes; just healthy enough to share time with those they love. What we truly need in our own individual darkest hours--whatever form they take--is what we ourselves can provide... an alteration of perspective; to look out at the horizon, count our blessings, and enjoy the view.
* * * out of * * * * stars
This was the case for Will Reiser, a comedy writer ("Da Ali G Show") who was diagnosed with a rare, operable form of cancer in his twenties. "50/50" is loosely based on his own story, and focuses on his relationships as he undergoes treatment in the hopes of an outcome adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Labeling the film a "cancer movie" is a bit limiting and isn't really being fair, though perhaps unavoidable. While it's not quite as sharp and penetrating as Mike Nichols' "Wit" or doesn't possess the sentimental resonance of the most highly-regarded films of its type ("Terms of Endearment," "Brian's Song"), it nonetheless skillfully blends drama and humor into a heartfelt awakening of perspective.
The movie stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Adam Lerner, a segment producer for NPR who lives his life with manifest caution... he eats right, exercises regularly, obeys all crosswalk signs when jogging, and never learned to drive for fear of an accident. Yet all his prudent acts of self-preservation didn't shield him from a cancer diagnosis during a doctor visit for back pains. He informs his closest confidants, though comes to realize he hasn't many. They include Kyle (Seth Rogen) whose comic excess sometimes wears thin even though the engaging goofball does offer a somewhat effective reprieve from the monotony of day-to-day life. ("Fifty-fifty, that's not so bad," Kyle offers upon hearing the prognosis. "If you were a casino game, you'd have like the best odds." He later sees it as a prime opportunity to score with the ladies.) Adam also tells his live-in girlfriend, Rachel (Bryce Dallas Howard), an artist who genuinely wants to be supportive though struggles with the immoderate change required in supporting a loved one facing such a dire medical circumstance. Adam dreads telling his mother (Angelica Huston), fearing her level of worry and the fact that she works tirelessly to care for Adam's father (Serge Houde) who is suffering from Alzheimer's.
Adam is noticeably rocked by the news, though seems more preoccupied with how his close ones will react. He offers Rachel an "out" to which she refuses, yet we wonder if she'll possess the emotional strength to stand by him. He does inform his mother, then strives to perpetually keep her at arm's length in a misguided effort to maintain his own peace of mind. To help him cope, he begins seeing a hospital-staff psychologist named Katherine McKay (Anna Kendrick), who he is surprised to learn is a mere twenty-four years old and working toward her doctorate. She's a kind, well-meaning soul though her naivete is in full view. ("Aren't you supposed to be wearing an earth-toned sweater and be sixty-five years old?" Adam jokes. "Why, did someone say I look like that?" is her reply.) He also befriends two fellow chemotherapy patients (Philip Baker Hall and Matt Frewer) who introduce Adam to the wondrous world of medicinal marijuana.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has carved an impressive career playing quirky, off-beat characters in more independent fare, even though he's perfectly capable of leading man material. (He came remarkably close to stealing the hero persona away from Leonardo DiCaprio in "Inception.") He makes Adam stoic enough to earn our respect while keeping him human enough to obtain our sympathy. His strongest moment comes just as he's about to be wheeled in for surgery. He has maintained a surprisingly steadfast poker face throughout most of the ordeal, yet we see a quick surge of panic as the anesthesia is first administered; the possibility of this being the end takes hold.
The movie's comic relief is primarily offered through Seth Rogen's performance playing the familiar Rogen shtick. I sense this is done almost by necessity as anything else. If the script had given his character a more nuanced arc that ran parallel to Adam's, it might have thrown the film off-balance. We know Kyle considers his friendship to Adam more important than he lets on; we don't need to have that spelled out for us. As Dr. McKay, Anna Kendrick strikes a nice balance between attempting to keep the doctor-patient relationship professional and inching toward a union that we sense she needs as much as Adam does. We're tempted to judge Bryce Dallas Howard's Rachel for not being able to support Adam, but she's not heartless per se. Situations like this are tough for every loved one; some are better equipped to handle it than others... Rachel just doesn't have the right makeup to adjust to the situation. I imagine there are lots of people like that. And Anjelica Huston expresses the kind of maternal love that can only be accepted, for trying to assuage it only makes it grow.
I fear I've made the movie sound much more melancholic than it is. Yes, there are somber moments, but there are just as many humorous bits that offset the heaviness. That the film doesn't tilt too far in either direction comes as little surprise; balancing the two can't involve extremes. At the core is the simple yet comforting realization that happiness is never too far away. Poor people don't dream of being rich; they dream of not worrying about being poor. Lonely people don't dream of being popular; just of having a sole companion with whom they can share simple moments of joy. And sick people don't dream of being world-class athletes; just healthy enough to share time with those they love. What we truly need in our own individual darkest hours--whatever form they take--is what we ourselves can provide... an alteration of perspective; to look out at the horizon, count our blessings, and enjoy the view.
* * * out of * * * * stars
