50/50-2011

Director Jonathan Levine

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen

Scott’s Review #1,001

Reviewed March 17, 2020

Grade: B+

Cancer is an incredibly tricky subject to portray in a film. Especially tough when any comedic bits are incorporated- the risk lies in jokes not going over well or being misinterpreted.

In 50/50 (2011), director Jonathan Levine and writer Will Reiser craft an intelligent, genuine story based on a true story, led by upstart actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who shines in the lead role.

Comic actor Seth Rogen joins to anchor the comedy.

Healthy twenty-something Seattle resident, Adam Lerner (Gordon-Levitt) experiences severe back pain and is shocked to learn he has a malignant tumor in his spine.

Devastated, his world is upended.

Adam is usually accompanied by his best friend Kyle (Rogan).

While Kyle is brash and outspoken, Adam is reserved and mild-mannered. They are opposites, but inseparable friends. Adam is dating artist Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard), whom Kyle despises, adding conflict to the story.

The screenplay and Gordon-Levitt’s performance are the film’s strongest elements. The title of the film is poignant because Adam is given the dubious news that he has only a 50/50 chance of surviving his cancer.

The young actor brings heart and soul to his challenging role, and his acting keeps the scenes from feeling clichéd or manufactured. This, naturally, is due to the excellent writing by Will Reiser.

He crafts a sincere, straightforward script that avoids razzle-dazzle but remains heartfelt.

My only criticism of 50/50 is that I would have liked a bit more darkness. As we all know, real-life cancer patients must endure the ravages that brutal disease inflicts. The film never really goes there to show how devious the disease is or what happens to the human body.

I get that the film toes the line carefully, but even after shaving his head, Adam doesn’t lose much weight or suffer other visible indignities.

The toned-down approach feels PG-rated rather than R-rated as it might have been.

This is largely forgivable because the film’s main message outweighs it. The film shows that love and friendship can be the best healers and the root of good, kind humanity. This is something every viewer can take away, and it makes the film lovely and worth watching.

The romantic comedy elements do not work, and I am not even sure they are necessary. The main draw is the undying friendship between Adam and Kyle and Adam’s experiences with other cancer patients along his journey.

Combining comedy and cancer is not easy, but thanks to exceptional writing and a talented cast, 50/50 (2011) succeeds in its aims.

The film and Gordon-Levitt earned Golden Globe nominations but missed out on Oscar nominations. If the film’s intended result is to ease cancer patients’ minds and provide meaningful entertainment, it’s a major win.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Feature, Best Supporting Female-Anjelica Huston, Best First Screenplay (won)