Some movies make you laugh. Others make you cry. 50/50 will make you do both in excess. A marvelous little film that didn’t get quite as much attention as it deserved, it’s the perfect balance of light and dark, presented in the most honest way possible.
Directed by Jonathan Levine, 50/50 stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as “Adam,” a 27-year-old radio writer who is diagnosed as a rare spinal cancer. The film follows Adam on his remarkable emotional journey, on which he is accompanied by his best friend “Kyle” (Seth Rogen) and therapist “Katherine” (Anna Kendrick).
It would have been very, very easy for this movie to veer too far into either glib comedy or maudlin melodrama. Thankfully, however, Levine is too skilled for that, as is screenwriter Will Reiser. Together, they craft a story that is impeccably balanced, showing Adam’s illness from all sides – even the humorous ones – in a way that feels utterly real.
As Adam, Gordon-Levitt brings his signature subtle sensitivity to the proceedings. He is an astoundingly expressive actor, taking us through the gamut of his character’s emotions with nuance and truth. He has an able scene partner in Rogen, who melds his own particular style of comedy with the gravitas needed for the subject matter. As for Kendrick, she is a welcome presence, imbuing Katherine with the perfect amount of quirky, neurotic charm.
All in all, 50/50 is about as close as it gets to a perfect film. It takes a heavy subject matter and handles it beautifully, highlighting all of life’s joy and pain.
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