A tightrope act pulled off well

Rating: 8/10 (30 December 2011)

I was not too keen on watching this. Cancer is frightening and I was apprehensive of either a morbid flick or a flippant one. The movie was neither. It did not minimize the physical or emotional damage wrought by the malady and its brutal treatment on the victim. But it also did not wallow in grim despair. Seth Rogen, as the best buddy, supplied the humor that lightened the mood (albeit tad predictable in his obsession with weed and getting laid.) The budding romance with the earnest, well intentioned but somewhat awkward therapist was deftly handled - it fit well with the flow of the movie and never overpowered the main theme - how a young man deals with cancer, its treatment, and the fallout on family and friends.
The acting was good, and the script was tight. I was engrossed and moved. Very nice movie.