This review by Patrick Devaney.
50/50 would not be done justice if it was merely categorized as a comedy, drama or even a rom-com. It’s a combination of all three in what will prove to be one of the biggest films of 2011. The Jonathan Levine-directed movie is loosely based on the story of screenwriter Will Reiser, who was diagnosed with cancer several years ago. Through this 100 minute motion picture, the audience is brought on a roller-coaster of emotions as the distinctly young cast of rising stars accompanied by the legendary Anjelica Huston, ultimately transport us to a place of warmth and happiness with some tears and plenty of laughter along the way.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Adam Lerner as the main protagonist leads the normal life of a 20-something year-old. The radio producer lives in Seattle with his girlfriend, Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard) and enjoys life with his larger-than-life best friend, Kyle (Seth Rogen). However a visit to the doctor one day turns his life upside down. Previously complaining of back pain, a tumour has been discovered on his spine and he is shocked into a state of total numbness. Researching his rare form of cancer on the internet, he learns that he stands a 50/50 chance of surviving the illness.
The diagnosis affects the people of his life in a variety of ways, some troubling, others disturbing and in one case, downright hilarious. Diane (Huston), Adam’s mother, takes the news terribly and breaks down on hearing the extent of the cancer. Rachael says she will stand by her man but eventually strays from Adam and cheats on him with a fellow artist. Kyle’s abrasive nature and Adam’s reluctance to kick Rachael out sees a hilarious scene that produces a barrel of laughs from Rogen’s crass but lovable character. Kyle attempts to get with women are significantly aided by using Adam’s story ad he encourages his cancer-stricken friend to use his affliction to get women also.
All during this time, Adam is seeing the hospital’s psychotherapist, Katie McCay (Anna Kendrick). Lurching from feelings of numbness and anger, she consoles him during his difficult period as the pair eventually begin to fall for each other. Also, from the beginning of his diagnosis, he strikes up a friendship with fellow cancer sufferers, Alan (Philip Baker Hall) and Mitch (Matt Frewer). Their chemotherapy sessions are full of fun but the sudden death of Mitch once again rocks Adam’s world. With more scans revealing his tumour is not responding to the treatment and is growing, Adam is almost resigned to the fact he won’t live much longer.
The film starts to reach it’s climax as a day of surgery is appointed on which Adam will either live or die. The night before his D-day is spent drinking with Kyle, enduring a nervous breakdown, all-but declaring his love for Katie before realising that Kyle has been doing his best to keep his friend’s mind off the possibility of his death. Adam and Diane enjoy a heartfelt moment before the surgery as he is then wheeled into the marathon operation. Kyle, Diane and Richard (Adam’s Alzheimer’s suffering father) are joined in the waiting room by Katie as they agonisingly wait to hear the outcome of the operation.
Eventually a surgeon appears and declares that although the journey will be a long one, Adam is going to survive. Months later, we discover that Adam and Katie are dating. She asks him ‘’Now what?’’ he answers simply with a wry smile before the scene cuts to black.
Without doubt, 50/50 will be regarded as one of the best cinematic experiences of the year. Levine manages to handle the sensitive issue of cancer and with an exceptional cast, transforms it into a sensational motion picture bringing the audience on many incredible vicissitudes before leaving them with a feeling of delight and fulfilment for the protagonists in a fairytale ending.
