As a cancer sufferer myself - I found this uncomfortable, funny, and then extremely painful. And I loved it. It shows the tremendous emotional gulf that those with this illness enter into, and whilst it's still far too easy an approach for this evil, evil disease, it starts a debate. See it.
Can you do a good comedy about cancer? 50/50 proves you can. Despite its topic, it's score like a comedy, cast like a comedy, and has comedy dialog and performances, but for Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character, it's all absolutely real and naturalistic, except perhaps the romcom tropes that inevitably crop up. Like a lot of Seth Rogen-generated material, at its core, it's about friendship, and this (or shades of this) happened to a real-life friend that inspired the film. Going into it without knowing the outcome creates real tension, by the way, so don't research it too much beforehand. The movie tugs at the heart strings, but never falls into melodrama, with Anna Kendrick turning in an at-once touching and amusing performance as a therapist in the early stages of her career. Gordon-Levitt is, as always, impeccable. And what a high-wire act. It could so easily choke you with heaviness, or be too glib about the disease, but no, I think they get it just right. Some tears, some laughs, just like real life.
Honest film about cancer with a great performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The last half our was really good, especially the car scene and the ending. It does tend to get stuck in Hollywood cliches at times but it's never really troublesome.
Just watched this film. I gotta say that this is easily one of this year's best. Although Joseph Gordon-Levitt's wonderful performance was ignored by the major awards functions, I still think it to be an injustice from their part. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was great in 500 days of Summer, even more so in Inception but he just raised the bar. As for Seth Rogen, who is also one of the producers and a good friend of the director, was perfect. He plays the part of Adam's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) best friend in this film. At times I felt that Rogen's character was not captured correctly. He always talked about getting laid to Adam. Adam thought that he was using his cancer thing to get laid himself. But it was towards the end that I realized that he was just trying to make Adam happy no matter what. He himself was unhappy but he doesn't show that (That point is proven when Adam finds out that he has been reading a book on Cancer, probably suggested by Adam's therapist herself). As the synopsis tells, friends are the greatest of the healers. Adam had Seth Rogen as his best friend but there is also Katherine, his therapist and a very subtle character. Adam didn't like interacting with her sometimes but eventually she also becomes one of his best friends (Or more than that I guess towards the End) The actress who played Adam's mother also requires applause. She truly convinced me of a worrying mother. The screenplay was brilliant and the film's filled with nice one-liners (Profanity included). This film's not suggested for kids though.
On the conclusion, the film was not only about curing cancer, friends or family, it was about curing yourself too. 50/50 is extremely simple and very direct. Still, it's quite... I don't know... different? And that's one of the reasons why this film is great. And yes, the films title may suggest you that it's based on chance (Because the people who got this cancer had 50% chances of survival, hence the name) but the writer is trying to convey us a beautiful message that when you have friends and family, your chances of survival is high but when you try to ignore them, it can get low. I loved this subtle message very much...
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Comments 1 - 15 of 49
frankqb
A refreshingly well done film that edges through drama, comedy, rom-com, stoner comedy, buddy comedy and inspirational stories.While it does hold a certain formulaic charm, its wit, positivity and original take on cancer are strong enough to make it entirely worth the watch.
Not a film to blow you away, but a nice one nonetheless.
danielle__89
great acting by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.. the car-scene was so intense!Scratch47
As a cancer sufferer myself - I found this uncomfortable, funny, and then extremely painful. And I loved it. It shows the tremendous emotional gulf that those with this illness enter into, and whilst it's still far too easy an approach for this evil, evil disease, it starts a debate. See it.thesearethethoughts
Anna Kendrick is great once again. A very subtle, nuanced performance, different from her past characters. JGL and Seth Rogen are great as well.damnyougoogle
Its an above average film, some aspects fall a little flat and it gets soapy but some solid performaces and camerawork make it enjoyable. 7/10RoastMutton10
The last third is darn powerful, the emotions in JGL's acting, especially in the later car scene, whooaaaaSiskoid
Can you do a good comedy about cancer? 50/50 proves you can. Despite its topic, it's score like a comedy, cast like a comedy, and has comedy dialog and performances, but for Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character, it's all absolutely real and naturalistic, except perhaps the romcom tropes that inevitably crop up. Like a lot of Seth Rogen-generated material, at its core, it's about friendship, and this (or shades of this) happened to a real-life friend that inspired the film. Going into it without knowing the outcome creates real tension, by the way, so don't research it too much beforehand. The movie tugs at the heart strings, but never falls into melodrama, with Anna Kendrick turning in an at-once touching and amusing performance as a therapist in the early stages of her career. Gordon-Levitt is, as always, impeccable. And what a high-wire act. It could so easily choke you with heaviness, or be too glib about the disease, but no, I think they get it just right. Some tears, some laughs, just like real life.lucyblyth
A great film that tells an honest, charming and emotionally raw story of a cancer patient - Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays his part brilliantly.Hippiemans
Honest film about cancer with a great performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The last half our was really good, especially the car scene and the ending. It does tend to get stuck in Hollywood cliches at times but it's never really troublesome.Rigters
Beautiful movie about a sad situation, but that shows us how we can go through things by enjoying the company of our friends and laugh with them.I was very surprised with Seth Rogen performance, very happy to see him in movies like this...
libnys
beautiful.thaisquisito
i love you JosephFenring
Very good.Filmsthemostbeautifulart
Just watched this film. I gotta say that this is easily one of this year's best. Although Joseph Gordon-Levitt's wonderful performance was ignored by the major awards functions, I still think it to be an injustice from their part. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was great in 500 days of Summer, even more so in Inception but he just raised the bar. As for Seth Rogen, who is also one of the producers and a good friend of the director, was perfect. He plays the part of Adam's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) best friend in this film. At times I felt that Rogen's character was not captured correctly. He always talked about getting laid to Adam. Adam thought that he was using his cancer thing to get laid himself. But it was towards the end that I realized that he was just trying to make Adam happy no matter what. He himself was unhappy but he doesn't show that (That point is proven when Adam finds out that he has been reading a book on Cancer, probably suggested by Adam's therapist herself). As the synopsis tells, friends are the greatest of the healers. Adam had Seth Rogen as his best friend but there is also Katherine, his therapist and a very subtle character. Adam didn't like interacting with her sometimes but eventually she also becomes one of his best friends (Or more than that I guess towards the End) The actress who played Adam's mother also requires applause. She truly convinced me of a worrying mother. The screenplay was brilliant and the film's filled with nice one-liners (Profanity included). This film's not suggested for kids though.On the conclusion, the film was not only about curing cancer, friends or family, it was about curing yourself too. 50/50 is extremely simple and very direct. Still, it's quite... I don't know... different? And that's one of the reasons why this film is great. And yes, the films title may suggest you that it's based on chance (Because the people who got this cancer had 50% chances of survival, hence the name) but the writer is trying to convey us a beautiful message that when you have friends and family, your chances of survival is high but when you try to ignore them, it can get low. I loved this subtle message very much...
4.2/5
thaleya
Liked it very much. Cried myself through the last half hour, and loved every moment of it. Joseph is amazing, and Seth is hilarious.Showing items 1 – 15 of 49