50/50

Ben’s Review of 50/50
Once and a while you have to be willing to look outside of the box to find new and different ways of presenting a subject or type of movie. To do this a studio has to take a gamble on actors, directors, and even writers that are not the usually Hollywood fare. Enter Seth Rogen and his infamous writing partner Evan Goldberg, as well as a former writing partner Will Reiser, all three which met while writing for Sasha Baren Cohen on the Ali G show. Thus far Seth and Evan have brought us the teenage quest for alcohol epic, Super Bad, and the stoner-on-the-run buddy flick Pineapple Express. Both movies were met with mixed reviews and both have gone on to become cult classics. This time around, Rogen and company decided to take on subject matter that is a little less light hearted, cancer. This movie is loosely based on the real life events surrounding Will’s own battle with cancer. But can the Ali G gang take on a very serious subject matter in a manner that is light hearted but respectful of the subject matter?
50/50’s main character is Adam Lerner, played by Joseph Gordon Levitt. Adam resides in Seattle and lives with his aspiring artist girlfriend, played by Bryce Dallas Howard. Adam along with his slacker buddy Kyle, played by Seth Rogen, work for Seattle Public Radio. One day while jogging, Adam notices he has lower back pain. Worried about the lower back pain, Adam goes to his doctor for a check-up where he is told that he has a rare form of cancer. Adam is extremely puzzled by this because, up to this point, he has lived a very clean and vice free lifestyle to the point that he does not drive because of the danger that activity imposes. Adam’s girlfriend somewhat reluctantly states that she is there for him. Kyle also tells Adam that he will be fine and tries to help Adam, and himself, use the diagnosis to pick up women. Adam also has to tell his mother, played by Anjelica Houston, who immediately wants to move in with Adam but is talked out of doing so by Adam with assurance that his girlfriend will care for him. Adam begins meeting with a therapist, played by Anna Kendrick, who is currently working on her doctorate and Adam discovers he is only her third patient. Along the way Adam meets other chemotherapy recipients who he becomes friendly with as they show him the tricks of how to deal with cancer. The story follows Adam as he endures the trauma of Chemotherapy and learns who his friends are really and who cannot deal with his situation. So, was this foray into the serious a worthwhile gamble for Rogen and company?
Movies like 50/50 need to be view by everyone. Anyone who has dealt with cancer, either as a patient or someone who has known someone with cancer, can relate. 50/50 treats this serious subject matter in a fresh, respectful, humorous, and not overly dramatic matter. This movie is real and does not feel the need to be gratuitously sappy or gruesome, as so many other movies dealing with cancer have been in the past. This movie feels real because you not only see how Adam deals with this situation but also how his friends and family personalize Adam’s cancer. The acting flows and the script is extremely smart because it is not filled with heavy dialogue but instead contains natural speak. All the characters fit very well including the rare Matt Frewer sighting (Mr. Frewer is a renowned comedy writer and also the creator and start of Max Headroom). If the academy really wants to prove that it is in touch and is looking at being more than Hollywood throw back dramafest, then it needs to give a movie this well done consideration.
I give 50/50 4.75 macaroons out of 5.
*Something Extra- Joseph Gordon Levitt was not the original star of this movie. James Mcavoy actually began this movie and then had to leave because of “family” issues. Levitt stepped in with only one days notice.



Elisa’s Review of 50/50
After a Summer with what seemed to be an impossible amount of comic-book movies and an unfortunate turn of events with the best-named movie ever—“Cowboys and Aliens,” it is nice to get back into a thinking and feeling movie. Even if that movie has a 50/50 chance you will cry before the film finishes.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars alongside Seth Rogen in this true-life story of a 27-year-old battling cancer, a horrible girlfriend, fear of driving and a crazy mother, played by Anjelica Houston. Filmed in Seattle, those familiar with the Emerald City will enjoy spotting some favorite neighborhoods and hangouts throughout the film.
Adam, played by Levitt, and Rogen’s Character Kyle work for Seattle Public Radio. Adam, is the responsible employee, conscious about being on time to work, recycles, and in the opening scene waits on an abandoned street for a crosswalk sign to change before jogging to the next block. Kyle is the best friend who picks him up from work, and is the loud jackass at work. Adam’s wanna-be artist girlfriend Rachel, is played by Dallas Bryce-Howard. From the minute she speaks, the audience gets the feel that something is not right about her, and no love for her character is ever formed—rightfully so.
A healthy 27-year-old, Leavitt goes to the doctor for a remedy to recent back pain, he attributes to jogging. Instead, he is coldly told he has a large tumor growing along his spinal column. With no driver’s license, or wife, Leavitt rides the bus home to tell the news to Rachel. Next, he reports to Kyle, and then his mother. Played perfectly by Angelica Houston, you wonder why isn’t she is more current films? Evidently, unlike Steve Martin, she saved her money from the 80’s.
Adam is not mad at the world, and takes on the business of chemotherapy and cancer survival. When his very cold Oncologist only speaks into a dictation machine and uses Latin terms, he suggests Adam visit with a psychologist. Adam meets Katherine, played by Anna Kendrick—or that chick from “Up in the Air” (the George Clooney movie about the recession and people losing jobs). Adam discovers he is Katherine’s third patient. Ever. Kind of-- She is finishing her doctorate thesis and ultimately, he will be part of her research piece.
The cancer tormenting Adam is not the villain in this movie. Instead, Rachel, the artist/girlfriend becomes the person everyone hates. She is three-hours late picking Adam up from Chemo. She stays in bed asleep as he runs to the toilet to throw-up. She is out late at gallery openings, as he waits for her, bald and asleep on the sofa.
Kyle, who hated Rachel before the audience did, catches her making out with another artist type. He races to Adam’s home, and waits for Rachel to come home. Then he pounces on her with the IPhone evidence of her cheating heart. It may be one of the funniest “you are cheating on your boyfriend who has cancer” moments of all-time.
While Adam’s cancer certainly is the reason for the film: The film is not about cancer. The film is about the relationships, old and new surrounding Adam. His over-bearing mother wants to move in; Kyle wanting to use the cancer as a way for him and Adam to meet ladies and get lucky. The friendship formed with two other guys at Chemo over Marijuana-laced-Macaroons. His frustration with the cancer and his developing realization that everything may not be okay.
I do not want to give away the ending. There are gasp-for-air moments when you think you know how it is going to end. Several times during the movies, whether it is watching Adam wait in the rain for the bus after a Chemo treatment, or you watch his Alzheimer father not recognize Adam as he sits in the hospital, the movie does make you realize that life is not fair.
Whether you ball your eyes out has nothing to do with whether Adam lives or dies. The most touching male-on-male friendship scene since Jonah Hill carries Michael Cera as they runaway from the police in Super Bad happens in Kyle’s bathroom as Adam finds a book about dealing with cancer. The pages are dog-eared and portions underlined. You realize Kyle is the great friend, who does more than provide Adam with medical grade marijuana.
On a political side, it is interesting the movie so easily discussed the use and delivery of medical marijuana, as if controversy on the topic did not exist. In comparison, the word insurance was never mentioned in the film. We have no idea whether Adam was provided covered after taking a leave of absence from Seattle Public Radio, if he was receiving medical coupons, or if his cancer treatment would leave him bankrupt.