50/50 is a smart, engaging movie that simultaneously balances both drama and comedy. You would not think that a film earning laughs out of cancer would work, but somehow 50/50 pulls it off, probably because the story is quirky yet believable, while the lead characters have plenty of charm.
In 50/50, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Adam, a straight-laced 27-year-old who works as an editor at Seattle Public Radio. His best friend is Kyle (Seth Rogen), who is typically crude, yet lovable, while he also has a beautiful artist girlfriend, Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard). Adam’s entire life is turned upside down when he learns he has cancer with the film’s title referring to his chances of survival.
Essentially this film is about Adam’s network of relationships, and how those closest to him react to this devastating news. The lovable rogue Kyle is deeply supportive, but also determined to help Adam do stuff like use his cancer to pick up girls. Adam’s girlfriend promises to be there for him, but her shallow concerns are soon exposed. Adam’s mother Diane (a wonderful Anjelica Huston) totally smothers him with her concern, even as she struggles with his father who has advanced Alzheimer’s. Finally, Adam’s therapist, played by Anna Kendrick, is an inept psychology student who struggles her way through several agonising therapy sessions.
There has been some complaint that the characters are caricatures. Could, for example, Adam’s girlfriend really be that shallow and cruel? But the reality is that situations of pain can sometimes reduce us to caricatures of ourselves. If we don’t truly love someone, then holding their hand through the rigours of cancer is a huge ask. Seth Rogen brings his usual crass sense of humour along on Adam's journey, but how many male friends are just like him? Totally loyal, yet at the same time struggling to emote without joking around. What mother would not want to envelop a child with cancer into her arms, to rescue them from this terrible predicament? How many inexperienced therapists struggle with their first ‘life or death’ therapy situation and to maintain proper emotional boundaries, while not falling into the temptation of safe platitudes and overused Psych 101 statements as safety valves for those uncertain moments of raw pain?
The relationships that this movie is built upon lend it a poignant sweetness. The characters are stripped down by the load of grief they bear together, and what they find out about each other and themselves in the process is not always pleasant to acknowledge but ultimately life-giving. Almost all the characters become more complete for the experience of journeying together. Even the humour is not unfounded. Grief and fear really can teach us to laugh long and loud as we appreciate more deeply the opportunities to do so with those we love.
Seth Rogen was pleasantly surprising as he displayed an unforeseen ability to bring endearing depth and vulnerability to his role. Rogen is connected to this situation in real life as this movie was based on the true story of Will Reiser, the screenwriter and a close friend of his. 50/50 may be a little predictable at times, but still provides an engaging mix of heart, humour and substance.
Three (and a half) stars out of five. Rated R (for language throughout, sexual content and some drug use).