50/50 Review

Cancer isn’t usually a topic I would normally think of to make a comedy film about but obviously people in Hollywood tend to think differently since Cancer seems to be “in” right now with screenwriters.  With that said the topic of cancer is far from a sure fire hit.  For every good movie or TV show like The Big C on Showtime there’s a Funny People which was about as funny as actually finding out you have cancer.

Adam (Josesph Gordon-Lveitt) is in his mid-twenties, he has a job he enjoys at a radio station, he keeps in good shape by jogging, his carbon footprint is small since he gets a ride to work with his best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen), and he just cleared out a draw in the dresser for his girlfriend Rachel (Bryce Dallas Howard).  Things seem pretty good for Adam but he feels some discomfort in his lower back that leads him to the doctor’s office.  That’s where we find out that <UNNECESSARY SPOILER WARNING!> Adam has cancer.  After the initial shock wears off Adam has the difficult task of telling Rachel, Kyle, his co-workers, etc, and finally his mother (Anjelica Huston) and his Alzheimer’s ridden father about having the disease.  The story travels through some familiar yet still touching scenes as Adam not only goes through the stages of grief but also experiences other setbacks and advances due to what he learns about himself thanks to cancer.

I really enjoyed 50/50.  I had my doubts about the film going in because I had a few prejudices:

1. I still see Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the long haired girly boy from 3rd Rock From the Sun and even though he’s impressed me in several films in recent years I still expect the other shoe to drop in regard to his career reverting back somehow.  It’s unfair to assume and maybe next summer after I see him in The Dark Knight Rises that particular prejudice will be gone completely.
2. If you recall earlier I had mentioned Funny People as an example of a non-funny cancer comedy.  Like 50/50, that film co-stars Seth Rogen and since Funny People we haven’t seen much of Seth Rogen aside from The Green Hornet. I thought it seemed odd to return to “Cancer movies” so quickly again.
3. Once again I can’t help but mention the fact that cancer isn’t exactly a topic that always lends itself to comedic sensibilities.  If the film goes too far the humor can come off as mean spirited and if you don’t go far enough you can whitewash the issue which is equally offensive.  Finding the right comedic balance can be hard to accomplish.

I’m sure I had a few more minor concerns heading into 50/50 but those three were the main issues causing me to question how much I might enjoy this film.  My concerns were put to rest early on however and I was pleasantly surprised by how touchingly hilarious the film was.  The film proceeds at a reasonably predictable pace as Adam struggles to come to terms with not only his diagnosis but how to deal with Rachel, Kyle, his mother, his therapist, and his new found cancer friends.  Some storylines, like the relationship with Rachel and his mother, are more serious than say the storyline having to deal with Kyle.  The plot involving his councilor Katherine (Anna Kendrick) is a good representation of both because there’s a lot of resentment initially that eventually morphs into something else entirely.  The film isn’t all laughs however and 50/50 isn’t afraid to show the awful effects that cancer can have not only to the patient but also the friends and family of that patient.  I’m not going to say that this isn’t a very “Hollywood” film about a deadly and often heartbreaking disease because it is.  In the real world sad and terrible news isn’t often followed up by a hilarious montage or an awkward dating scenario like it is in the 50/50 universe.  That doesn’t mean however that 50/50 doesn’t have a good message about how to look upon life if you or someone you know has to deal with cancer.

50/50 is loosely based on the experiences of screenwriter Will Reiser (cousin of Paul Reiser) and close friend of 50/50 co-star Seth Rogen which explains Rogen appearing in two cancer “comedies” in three years.  Originally James McAvoy (X-Men First Class) was cast in the role as Adam but had to back out and was replaced my Joseph Gordon-Levitt at the last minute.  I think that late casting change was a blessing in disguise.  No offense to James McAvoy but nothing I’ve seen him in has shown me that this would have been a good fit for him.  He certainly could have handle the heavy dramatic stuff but I’m not sure the dark comedy would have come off as well with him as the star.  Gordon-Levitt again shows why he’s become such a sought after actor by really owning the Adam character.  He shows that he’s a well rounded actor capable of connecting to the audience several different ways.  Adam’s journey brings about a lot of changes throughout the film and I was convinced by his performance.  The supporting cast also does a great job supporting Gordon-Levitt.  I’ve yet to warm up to Bryce Dallas Howard yet; she hasn’t been awful in anything I’ve seen her in but she hasn’t blown me way yet either.  Here, she does her best in an unflattering role that will leave you wanting to punch Ron Howard in mouth for raising such a slut.  Another actress I don’t know much about and have actually avoided is Anna Kendrick from the Twilight franchise.  I rather liked her in this as the somewhat green and mousey therapist that is willing to put herself out there to help Adam.  Her performance wasn’t mind blowing but it was good enough to help advance the story and she played well off of Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  Summing up Seth Rogen’s Kyle is a little more difficult.  He’s easily the film’s most one dimensional character but he’s involved with so much of the comedic elements of the film I can’t imagine 50/50 being the same without him.  It’s a simple role, one that fans of Rogen’s earlier work will surely be familiar with where he’s the crude but loyal friend that wants to get laid constantly and isn’t afraid to tell it how it is.  Essentially it’s his role from The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up but is hanging out with a guy with cancer.  Rounding out the cast is Anjelica Huston as Adam’s mother Diane.  When I first saw the trailer for 50/50 I was intrigued by her appearing in the film.  She’s not an actress that just shows up in films “willy nilly” so her signing on to this rather low budget film peaked my interest.  She doesn’t disappoint and makes the most of a small but complex role while adding a touch of maturity to a film filled with young stars dealing with a serious subject. 

50/50 is a smart “dramedy” that leans a little more towards comedy than drama.  With that said I firmly believe that 50/50, while still extremely funny, never forgets that cancer is a disease that kills millions of people worldwide every year and affects countless more and their families.  As someone that has lost a family member to cancer I found the film to be both funny, bittersweet, and most of all entertaining in a close to home kind of way.