Quick question: how do you make a film about cancer funny? Granted, Showtime’s hit series The Big C with Laura Linney has been able to take a more lighthearted approach to the serious disease, but getting that balance across in less than two hours is still one hell of a challenge. Almost everyone has been influenced by cancer in some way, whether through personal experience, friend, family member, or acquaintance, so a story about one man’s struggle to survive could resonate with virtually any audience. In terms of selecting the right actor to helm a project as emotionally-charged as 50/50, filmmakers wisely signed Joseph Gordon-Levitt, whose popularity has been skyrocketing lately after his work in (500) Days of Summer and Inception. Add in a cast that included perpetual funnyman Seth Rogen, emerging superstar Bryce Dallas Howard, and long-absent legend Anjelica Huston, and it was clear that 50/50 wasn’t going to be shooting for any cheap laughs. It would be interesting to see if the diverse cast could cover the sensitive subject matter and deliver genuine humor without coming across as tasteless.
Against normal September tradition, 50/50 continues the pattern set by gems like Contagion, Warrior, Dolphin Tale, and Moneyball, because this unique dramedy is utterly fantastic. Telling a heartfelt story of the battle for survival, 50/50 brilliantly blends the gravity of facing terminal disease with clever humor, imbuing an undeniable sense of humanity and reality into the film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt commands both your attention and respect with a powerful performance that shifts between levity, cynicism, anger, and fear. As far as co-stars go, Seth Rogen emerges as a champion, fitting into the perfect role to match and amplify his showcase brand of humor, while Anna Kendrick is so earnestly naïve that you cannot help but enjoy the chemistry she shares with Gordon-Levitt. Compelling and endlessly entertaining, you will laugh, cry, and rejoice in the testament to human spirit delivered by 50/50, easily one of the most pleasant and genuine films of the year…no excuse can justify not going to the theater immediately.
Overall Recommendation: Very High
