Unconventional cancer movie hit and miss, with potential

Rating: 7/10 (16 May 2012)

Extremely likable actors and an unconventional take on the tropes of cancer movies do not save this film from being uneven. This is described as a comedy, but there is very little space for laughs. It convincingly conveys how shocking, scary and personal being diagnosed with cancer is, and does not coat it with sugary or over-dramatic writing. Yet, the chore of the film is the friendship between Adam and Kyle (Seth Rogen's character), as much as how Adam faces his condition. While the scenes between the two main actors feel fresh and original, though slightly too crude at times, the rest of the action is rushed. The other characters are mostly just sketches, if not stereotypes. The depiction of the doctors, including Anna Kendrick's inexcusably unprofessional therapist, is almost offensive. Anjelica Huston's role is minimal. One would expect, at least, a couple more mother-son exchanges, especially during Adam's treatment. Poor Bryce Dallas Howard has the worst of possible parts, and makes the best of it, but once again she gets very little screen time. It is significant that the main scenes in which the supporting cast has a chance to shine, are those in which Rogen is not present: at the dinner in which Adam announces he has cancer to his mother and father, or during the chemotherapy. Rogen and Gordon-Levitt work well together, particularly when left to concentrate on the bond between their characters, as in the improvised shaving scene or in the destruction of Adam's ex-girlfriend's painting, which achieves the combined effect of offering comic relief and being tinged with misogyny. The photography by Terry Stacey is aptly soberly consistently realistic, as one would expect in a movie with this budget. The only concession to colour is the scene in which Adam walks back from chemotherapy stoned, after eating the marijuana filled biscuits, offered by his fellow patients. The music is also sparingly used, I particularly appreciated hearing Radiohead's "High and Dry" right after Adam receives his diagnosis and Pearl Jam's "Yellow Leadbetter" at the end. This is a good little film, It has the potential to become a classic. It bravely takes on a difficult subject, avoiding being saccharine-filled. It also steers clear of lecturing. The vulgarity in it, the moments in which the characters appear limited or faulty, is arguably its best quality. It rings very close to reality, in a sober, quiet way, non-judgemental way.