Laughter is the Best Medicine

Rating: 9/10 (26 December 2012)

50/50 is a drama. And a comedy. And one of the better films to come down the pike in 2011.
Because of the very nature of its story, it should be no surprise that the movie is emotionally draining. What might be surprising, though, is that it's uplifting in equal measure. Rather than wallowing in the wake of its protagonist's recent cancer diagnosis, it takes the route of allowing its audience a glimpse into the life of a man who's struggling to overcome more than just the disease that serves as the proverbial MacGuffin. At times, the movie is guilty of conforming to indie/rom-com clichés that have defined the genre for the past five (or so) years, but the leads are so likable—and the writing is so crisp, poignant, and utterly hilarious—that it's hard to point to such tendencies as a fault.
As usual, Rogen and company are able to bottle the "real life" conversation and observations that assign a tangible identity to the neo-nerd pop culture that is the twenty-something male of contemporary society. Because of this, what could have easily been a draining slog through the life of a disgruntled cancer patient becomes a celebration of latching onto anything (and everything) that has substance. The evolution of Adam (Levitt) is realistic and touching, and by the time the inevitable "confrontation" takes place, you'll feel like you've endured something miraculous.
To further comment on the layered plot and what it implies about the needs of everyone "surviving" all walks of life would be to ruin some of the more unexpected revelations that come from 50/50, so I'll end by saying, quite simply, that it's a wonderful movie.
In fact, there's a 99.9% chance that you'll leave the theater with a huge smile on your face. And I'm willing to bet not too many people saw that coming.