Chix Chat on Film (Catt) Reviews 50/50

Rating: Null/10 (30 September 2011)

From the trailer you would think that this film was a comedy about cancer, but you would be seriously wrong. Although there were some very funny lines in the film, this film gets realistic really quick. Being that it is based on a true story, the lead character, Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) very quickly became very endearing. The story emphasizes that although you can follow all the rules, be a nice guy and treat people with respect, you can still get cancer. I really liked Joseph in Inception, but I liked him even more in this film. I think that he captured the essence of the fear that ensues when those dreadful words come roaring out of your doctor's mouth. Once again Bryce Dallas Howard (Rachael) is strapped with the mean-girl role. She was not quite as mean as she was in The Help, but if there is one person that you want to hate in this film, it is her. Hopefully she will not be type-cast and can get out and spread her wings a bit. Seth Rogan (Kyle) turns out to be a true friend. He is the type of friend that I hope that I have should the occasion arise. Seth was responsible for adding some light-heartedness to this otherwise dismal film and he did an exceptional job. The rest of the cast also pulled at your heart-strings with everyone having their own challenges in their lives. Diane (Anjelica Huston), Adam's mom was the typical concerned mom who was also dealing with her husband Richard's (Serge Houde) situation. I am not sure if I could ever be as strong as she had to be in this film. I guess you just have to deal with things as things arise and roll with the punches. Katherine (Anna Kendrick) was a pleasant addition to the cast as the sometime bumbling psychologist.
This film was just as much about relationships as it was about dealing with cancer. The scriptwriter, Will Reiser was brilliant in understanding just the right things to say at exactly the right time. Hopefully this will get him out of the shadows of his cousin, Paul Reiser. There was not one minute that I felt bored or uninterested, but I do not think that this is a "must-see" film, even though it did make me laugh out loud and made me shed more than just a few tears. I am giving this film a very, very bright amber light.