Perfectly balanced complimented by excellent performances!

Rating: 9/10 (12 January 2012)

This heart-wrenching laugh-out-loud comedy will take you through a mixture of emotions; you will be laughing your head off with it's perfectly placed humour and falling into deep self-reflection on the importance of life and well-being which we all so carelessly take for granted. This poignant story is about a 27-year old healthy, reserved, safe character Adam (Joseph Gordon Levitt) who is suddenly diagnosed with a rare and malignant type of cancer and is given a 50/50 chance of beating it. The story develops the unique relationships between the malingerer and his friends and family and how everyone handles the stress and grief differently.
The screenplay really deserves credit; it deals with the traumatic illness of cancer in an honest way, without ever feeling fake; and the acting really compliments that, Joseph Gordon Levitt gives a truly believable and excellent performance of a young man facing this trouble; and the best friend (Seth Rogan) portrays his characters sentimental big heart underneath his awkwardly funny and sexually-driven personality perfectly. The scenes between the trainee psychiatrist (Anna Kendrick) and Adam are a pleasure because of her obvious instant attraction conflicted by her obligation to stay within the boundaries of patient conduct and give her best professional objective help.
The story is primarily a comedy but its subtleties and underlying themes are truly excellent and what makes it thoroughly pleasant to watch and a touching experience. The importance of the comedy value throughout the film is essential for balance; and to remind the audience that a smile and a laugh between friends and family can always help ease the brutal and grave reality of life.