Review of 50/50 (2011) by Anthony S — 04 Dec 2012

50/50 Might just be one of the most charmingly brilliant films that has ever been made. Inspired by the writer of the film Will Reisers own experience with cancer 50/50 can go from being rib achingly funny to heartbreaking sad in a split second as a young man tries to battle a terrible illness.

The plot centers around two best friends named Adam and Kyle(played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen respectively) and how both of them deal with Adam developing a cancer with a fifty per-cent survival rate. After Adam is diagnosed with cancer and he learns that his girlfriend is cheating on him his life appears to be completely shattered fortunately enough Adam has his best friend Kyle for support but rather than support Adam through his battle Kyle appears to be far more interested in getting laid which proves to be to tough physically and emotionally for Adam. The main thing Adam wants from the people around him is for them to be honest with him and with a friend like Kyle who seems to neglect his illness and a mother who doesn't neglect it enough Adam finds that the only person he can be open with is his psychiatrist Katherine(Anna Kendrick) the problem is that he doesn't seem to want to open up to her and with her being a novice she does not yet know how to pry his feelings from him.

The chemistry between Levitt and Kendrick is a funny one because is quite clearly awkward but it works on so many levels because it feels real and despite the awkwardness you can still sense a connection between the two. But the main attraction in the film is Seth Rogen who provides a humorous scene for every dramatic scene to counter balance the film.

As previously stated 50/50 can go from being rib achingly funny to heartbreaking sad in a split second as a young man tries to battle a terrible illness and that is what makes it such a special movie.