10/10.

Rating: 10/10 (15 January 2012)

Everyone has their own ideas and notions about movies that tackle the subject of a person with a terminal illness, be it cancer or something else.
Most of us tend to avoid them because they can often be too overly dramatic and depressing. 50/50 is a sure break from that mold.
Now being called a cancer comedy, I have to say that term is quite appropriate.
It's a really funny movie, which does not mean it won't make you cry. The driving force is the actor who plays Adam. (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)
Adam is a 27 year old writer of radio programs and is diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer. This comes as a shock to Adam, (as it would to anyone) a mild-manner young man who in his own words, doesn't drink or smoke. The subsequent events follow him as he tries to gently break the news to his family and friends. Everyone reacts to it differently as people would in a true to life situation.
Kyle (Seth Rogen) is appalled at first but proclaims that young people beat cancer all the time. This is a good role for Seth Rogen who usually only frequents raunchy comedies. Not to say he diverts from what is clearly his strong suit. It acts as comic relief here and it works as the part of Kyle is quite well-rounded.
There is a specific reason for this.
Adam is based on writer Will Reiser, who was diagnosed with cancer and later recovered. Reiser called Adam an extension of himself.
Seth Rogen, who plays Kyle, helped Reiser cope with his disease and convinced him to write a screenplay during their early 20s together.
Anjelica Huston who plays the role of Adam's mother (Diane) is magnificent. She reacts as any mother would in such a situation and the little scenes she shares with Adam are very earnest and emotional.
You also have Anna Kendrick as the young and inexperienced therapist Katherine (who is a fictional character) and Bryce Dallas Howard as Rachael, the sometimes distant girlfriend. She is an amalgam of various different people in Will Reiser's life.
I didn't think any of the actors did a bad job. Everyone was just right, with Joseph Gordon Levitt being the definition of nuance. Still considered a young actor by Hollywood standards, he has come a long way from TV shows and solely independent movies. If 50/50 is any indication, he should age like fine wine.
This a great film. Chances are you'll find something of substance, a few life lessons in between the laughs in 50/50.