Surprisingly good movie!

Rating: 7/10 (2 August 2012)

When I first read about this film, I didn't think it could work. But when a friend recommended it, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad that I did and that is mainly because of Gordon-Levitt (who plays Adam). The way he deals with fear of dying/despair and at the same time with his friends and family is very convincing. I think the most moving scene is at the end, right before his surgery, reaching out for his mother and not wanting to let go... Anjelica Huston as his overbearing mom is fantastic and I was glad when they finally started talking. What makes this movie so outstanding is that it isn't only sad, it is funny too (very difficult to get the balance right when you are dealing with such a difficult topic) and that is not due to Seth Rogen, who is most of the time annoying and obnoxious and far from funny. It's again Gordon - Levitt who comes across as such a lovely, likable, easygoing guy whose regret is not having traveled to Canada and never having said I love you to a woman, who on his early morning run waits until the traffic light turns green even though there is no traffic and no one on the street, who keeps an old retired race dog and who puts up with his best friend using him / his disease to chat up women. Comic relief comes partly also from Adam's new friends Alan and Mitch and their 'medicinal marijuana tea time'. Why this movie is not a 10? 1) Seth Rogen: he's too annoying and immature 2) The girlfriend: she's too one dimensional 3) The relationship with his mother: the moment when he needed and accepted her comfort was the most powerful scene in the film and there should have been more emphasis on the development of this relationship (rather than focusing on Seth Rogen and his adolescent antics) Despite the criticism this movie is worth watching! I wish there were more movies like this one!