50/50

      Inspired by the true life illness of the film’s writer Will Reiser, 50/50 takes us on a journey through cancer that is as comedically touching as it is heartrending. This film could have gone overboard by making a depressing film about a 27 year old who discovers he has a rare aggressive form of cancer or it could have been an inappropriate obtuse comedy making light of one of the most serious things that could happen to a person.  Instead, the film blends the two resulting in a spiritually uplifting, yet sobering film of a tragedy that could happen to anyone.  The film’s script and pacing is nothing technically impressive, but the talents of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ana Kendrick, and Angelica Houston bring nuanced and powerful performances that leave us emotionally drained as well as immensely amused.  The film illicits tears from both laughter and tragedy.  Not an easy mix.

Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a twenty-something NPR writer who is living the life of any young person in Seattle.  He has a semi-serious relationship with a beautiful girl named Rachael ( the lovely Bryce Dallas Howard), a hilariously obnoxious best friend (Seth Rogan playing Kyle [Seth is writer’s Will Reiser’s real life friend who he based this character on]) and a life of coffee and political debate that is progressing just as it should at his age.  The one thing detracting from his ideal life is a prominent back ache that won’t go away.  Adam reluctantly goes to have it checked out. The scene where Adam learns of his illness from an indifferent and distracted Doctor begins the journey that makes us realize this isn’t just a typical movie.  The director and the incredible acting of Gordon-Levitt captures the roller coaster of emotion through tight camera shots as opposed to dialogue.  Adam learns that he has a 50/50 chance of survival. The scene becomes more powerful as Adam tunes out the doctor’s medical ramblings and his emotions turn inward.  I was never a fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a child actor on ‘3rd Rock from the Sun’.  I thought he would grow up to be another failed cliche Hollywood child actor.  I was completely wrong. I feel he has already turned in an impressive body of work and I don’t even think he has hit full stride yet.  His work on ‘500 Days of Summer’ was inspired and his role in ‘Inception’ shows that he can hang at the blockbuster level.  I’m looking forward to what’s next from him.

Back to the film; Adam turns to his girlfriend Rachael for support.  She says she will stick with him as that is what society demands of us, but she is too distracted by her artistic self-centeredness to be of any real support and becomes more distant instead of closer.  Adam’s obnoxious best friend Kyle does his best to keep Adam’s spirits up, but really isn’t able to express the true emotional support needed.  However, throughout all of Kyle’s bluster you can see his true depth of emotion and affection for Adam even if he can’t demonstrate it.  Angelica Houston plays Adam’s mother.  She is so overbearing that Adam reluctantly tells her in anticipation of her reaction.  She is already caring for Adam’s Alzheimer suffering father and this is another burden threatening to break her.  Ms. Houston could have played the overbearing mother comedically over the top (and she does), but she also infuses her character with an incredible strength, that despite Adam’s reluctance, he comes to rely on.

Adam joins a cancer group in the hospital and they all sit around each week receiving their chemo therapy.  This group imparts comedy as well as wisdom as long suffering cancer patients.  Veteran actors Matt Frewer and Phillip Baker Hall bring emotional depth to their comedic roles.  They try to brighten Adams outlook, but behind their goofiness you can see the sadness in their eyes that cancer as struck someone so young as Adam.  As bad as cancer is for them, it is something they realize comes often during the later years in life.  It breaks their heart to see young Adam so ill even as they struggle with their own diseases.  

Some of the most poignant scenes are between Adam and the hospital psychiatrist, Katherine (Anna Kendrick).  Anna is only 24 years old and Adam is her 3rd patient ever.  Her earnestness and frequent professional missteps are charming.  She struggles to maintain calm and professionalism, but her inexperience does not allow her to keep that objectiveness.  You sense that both Adam and Katherine are trying to keep their emotional distance, but they can’t and you see both their walls crumble as their therapy progresses.

Whatever qualms I have about the television style pace in the beginning of this movie are quickly forgotten by the third act.   As Adam faces life and death, the acting rises to powerful and emotional levels by which only the hardest hearts couldn’t moved.  The gambit of emotions where you laugh, cry, stare transfixed, and squirm uncomfortably in your chair show the true talent of the Director, Jonathan Levine and show that all of these actors are the real deal.  It’s a small film with many flaws, but has a big emotional impact.

I give this film *** 1/2  stars