Notable efforts from a cast (and Seth Rogen)

Rating: 9/10 (27 March 2016)

What I enjoy about 50/50 is that it isn't too far fetched from regular life under these circumstances. A 27 y/o gets a rare cancer that is not commonly diagnosed or beaten, meets with a young and attractive therapist (which is convenient for us and plot development), has a protective mother, and a Seth Rogen-type friend.
Everything that Adam does in this movie is based upon these characters,who all act very stereotypically towards a guy with cancer. His mother gets regresses to when she was a primary caretaker. After the breakup with his girl friend, Kyle takes Adam under his wing through marijuana and sex. He tries to push Adam even farther away from his now- ex by convincing him to be carefree about her, and even disrespecting her a little bit. Bros before hoes.
Something my teacher brought up is that therapists are not allowed to touch a client without permission. Anna Kendrick at this time does not abide by this, being she's only 24 and still inexperienced. Although it's valid to say that this is unrealistic of a therapist to stray from this ethic, it's also valid to remember she is still kinda new. With only 3 patients and still in training, she's a rookie. It's just that humanly error and convenient characteristic for plot development that makes this movie more heartfelt.
Adam is pretty likable as the main character of this movie. The guy gets a threatening cancer diagnosis at a young age where it's very likely he'll die. What happens to him are plausible events, minus going out to get laid. I understand that people tend to pity someone who suffers, but would a girl really have a stand with a cancer patient? I just don't see that happening. His whole conflict with his girlfriend, plausible to display of character. You can't expect a loved one to not feel struck with so much stress during the time. It takes a strong woman like his mother to take care of someone with such a physical or mental disease.
With all that said, I've become a much bigger fan of Joseph Gordon Levitt and Anna Kendrick. The first time I really watched anything of Levitt in depth was 10 things I hate about you. What I learned is that he was a child actor as well. He has really come such a long way since then, as he actually turned out to be a respectable actor. And now I can't stop obsessing over Anna Kendrick. She has the confidence of Tina Fey without being over the top and obnoxious like some other characters, plus charm and beauty. I love the ending as well; the interaction that we've seen from them, you just want to smile every scene. I know I did, how they were always so awkward with one another until they call.
The music chosen and played for this movie is pretty good too as it helps define the mood. I don't think any songs were produced a few years within this movie, and if there are then they certainly aren't mainstream songs that are used like they are today. There also are some songs not included in the soundtrack that are subtle and delicate, but add to then moment when no one is talking. The use of guitar solos in some scenes is very original compared to rap.
I could easily watch this movie repeatedly because of everything about it. The real, yet fun, scenarios make this one of the cast's finer works. Often I find myself searching for certain clips of this movie, because it was so enjoyable to watch. Another Kendrick or Levitt movie is next on my list, considering how great this one was.