It's an unfortunate and well-known truth that cancer, no matter what kind, affects millions all over the world. Not just those that are stricken ill, but their loved ones as well. Many try their best to take it in stride; but for others, it's a little harder. It's important to know that even when times might seem the toughest, it's how the person takes control of the situation that can help him or her choose how to live life and find the much sought after silver lining. This is what Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) must comprehend in director Jonathan Levine's dramedy 50/50, a film that takes a semi-lighthearted approach to a relatable and serious topic.
Adam is living a normal life and loves his job at the local radio station. When he begins to experience some back pains, he decides to go to his doctor and find out the cause of the trouble. The doctor tells Adam that he has a very rare form of cancer, to which there are limited options for treatment. Once he reveals this to his family and friends, including his pal and co-worker Kyle (Seth Rogen), his questionable girlfriend Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard) and his mother (Anjelica Huston), they all try to help him out and figure what's best for him. In the meantime, Adam begins to attend sessions with a young psychologist Katie (Anna Kendrick) who tries to help him to better understand and live with the situation he has been thrown into.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt brings out the audience's understanding for him trying to be an ordinary guy that gets hit with this life-changing event that he doesn't have any control over. When given the startling news of his illness, he responds with, "That doesn't make any sense though. I mean...I don't smoke, I don't drink...I recycle..." His stunned reaction shows how unexpected something like this could happen to anyone, even if you have a good health record. The nonchalant attitude that he tries to feel in light of the circumstances gives a greater emotional punch, because we know there's a storm cloud behind the false expressions of his seemingly carefree exterior. We want to reach out to him and let him know that everything will be alright. But like him, we don't know for sure if it will be. What's happening to Adam is something that many are experiencing, and that's what makes his character worthy to bond with.
One especially resonant and empowering scene is when Adam decides to shave his head, before the cancer gets to it first. It's a sign that he's not going to be a victim to this illness. Rather, he's going to be a fighter.
Seth Rogen is his usual goofy self as Kyle, Adam's loud and foul-mouthed best friend. Kyle tries to help him by sharing his "embrace the moment and have fun" philosophy, which is something that Adam is in great need of at the time. Although his use of Adam's current condition as a means to pick up women for the two of them can come off as selfish, you can tell he has Adam's best interests at heart and wants to provide some merriment to take Adam's mind off his ailment. He tries to have Adam look on the bright side of things throughtout the film. At one point, he reassures Adam with his 50/50 chance of survival by saying, "If you were a casino game, you'd have the best odds." In one scene right before the end, you see how much Kyle sincerely cares for his friend.
Anna Kendrick is, and still remains, a natural-born scene-stealer. She has considerable screen presence, and there's something about her acting style that leaves an impression and charm on the viewer after each of her scenes. Anjelica Huston, as Adam's mother, gives the reasonably smothering love and care that any parent would give to their child in a time of crisis. Philip Baker Hall and Matt Frewer bring more of the film's comic relief, outside of Seth Rogen, as jokester cancer patients who Adam befriends.
Director Jonathan Levine and screenwriter Will Reiser, the latter whose life the story is loosely based on, treats the material sensitively. They add just enough humor to make it tasteful; but they don't forget that the film also needs the drama to reaffirm the audience that this is a realistic situation with a young life at stake. The characters are written and acted believably in how they each react to Adam's circumstance and help him navigate through an uncertain time after his life takes a sudden left turn. 50/50 fully transcends the typical "disease of the week" kind of film, and is instead a celebration of the familial and friendship bonds that can be as healing as any medicinal treatment.
Final grade: A
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