Odds are you'll enjoy 50/50

Rating: Null/10 (3 October 2011)

I went to see the movie 50/50 without having any prior knowledge as to whether it was supposed to be a comedy or a more serious film; It ended up being a little of both. The movie, inspired by a true story, is about Adam, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, better known for his roles in Inception and on the T.V. show 3rd Rock from the Sun. Kyle finds out he has a rare form of cancer and shows how his relationships with people change because of this heartbreaking news.
Director Jonathan Levine, mostly known for his HBO series How to Make It in America, does a wonderful job using a script drafted by Will Reiser. 50/50, Reiser's first feature film, is loosely based on the screen writer's personal real-life battle with cancer.
Gordon-Levitt gives a really great performance. He displays a wide variety of emotions and is excellent in portraying all them. As a cancer survivor myself, I was able to connect with the character and truly felt that the emotions were very true to life. Seth Rogen plays Kyle, the best friend and Adam's main support system and care giver. Kyle stands by Adam, as he struggles with his new found disease, every step of the way along the way. Kyle tries to find humor in a very serious illness and he makes you laugh out loud with some of his comments. I really enjoyed the friendship of the two guys while they went through this together. In most films of this nature, we are typically given two women as best friends, which we are to associate with; in 50/50 it was nice to see two men sharing that relationship. Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard also star in 50/50. I have to say, I consider myself a big fan of Anna Kendrick; and not just because she is in the Twilight series of films (so is Bryce by the way!). I enjoyed seeing her in a different role than what I've come to expect. Anna played Katharine, a therapist who helped Adam to cope with his cancer. Bryce did well too, she played the not very supportive girlfriend, Rachael It was kind of hard to like her because of the part she played but, she was a very good at being someone you aren't supposed to like very much.
I enjoyed this movie a lot more than I had expected to, considering the subject matter. The characters were able to inject a lighthearted humor into something most of us don't want to think about; regardless of how many people it affects in the world today. I enjoyed all of the performances, and thought it was great to see a number of actors and actresses that I really like together in this film.
Grade: B
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