50/50
Brilliant film debut from comedy writer Will Reisling about a young guy dealing with cancer
Review
While we're all for innovation in comedy, making a funny film about
cancer seems a bit risky, even in our not-easily-offended opinion. But
there is humour to be found in even the darkest of situations, and
50/50 finds it in a most sensitive, charming and moving way.
The film was written by Will Reiser, one of Seth Rogen's best buds, who was diagnosed with cancer in his twenties and based 50/50 on his experiences. The story follows Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as he struggles with life-threatening prognoses, an unreliable girlfriend, and the fact that his therapist looks like she could be younger than Justin Bieber.
This is yet another bang on performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who has cemented himself as one of our major celebrity crushes due to his ability to both kick ass (Inception) and melt our hearts ((500) Days of Summer). He manages a completely believable balance of taking his bad news on the chin and flying off the handle. The whole cast is extremely impressive; Seth Rogen is unusually likeable as Adam's best friend (and sort of himself), Anna Kendrick is adorable as the clueless but well-meaning therapist, and Anjelica Houston is completely hilarious as the overbearing mother who has lost all control.
This could have gone so wrong, but has turned out a wonderful, wonderful film. We watched with tears in our eyes most of the way through, from a combination of laughter and deep empathy, and left the cinema feeling heartwarmed. Whether you've been affected by cancer or not, this is a touching portrayal of a difficult subject, and we loved it.
The film was written by Will Reiser, one of Seth Rogen's best buds, who was diagnosed with cancer in his twenties and based 50/50 on his experiences. The story follows Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as he struggles with life-threatening prognoses, an unreliable girlfriend, and the fact that his therapist looks like she could be younger than Justin Bieber.
This is yet another bang on performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who has cemented himself as one of our major celebrity crushes due to his ability to both kick ass (Inception) and melt our hearts ((500) Days of Summer). He manages a completely believable balance of taking his bad news on the chin and flying off the handle. The whole cast is extremely impressive; Seth Rogen is unusually likeable as Adam's best friend (and sort of himself), Anna Kendrick is adorable as the clueless but well-meaning therapist, and Anjelica Houston is completely hilarious as the overbearing mother who has lost all control.
This could have gone so wrong, but has turned out a wonderful, wonderful film. We watched with tears in our eyes most of the way through, from a combination of laughter and deep empathy, and left the cinema feeling heartwarmed. Whether you've been affected by cancer or not, this is a touching portrayal of a difficult subject, and we loved it.
