'50/50'

'50/50' (R) (3 1/2 STARS)

Writer: Will Reiser
Director: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Anjelica Huston Bryce Dallas Howard, Phillip Baker Hall, Matt Frewer

"50/50" could have been a real disaster and it is amazing how strong it is and I was pleasantly surprised. The movie is based on a true life story and I think that helps it from becoming phony and maudlin. "50/50" is based on the life of Will Reiser who is a true life friend to Seth Rogen. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Adam who is based on Will and Adam at a young age is diagnosed with cancer. Rogen plays Kyle who is his best friend and has to adjust to his friend's disease. This movie might sound like a chore to sit through but it is funny, touching and kind of poetic.

Adam also is assigned a therapist to check in with from time to time to help him cope with the emotions he will deal with. Katherine is played by Anna Kendrick and Katherine and Adam will grow to like each other. I was worried about this movie from looking at the previews but "50'50" turns out to be a nice low key treat. The movie being based on real life events helps it immensely because there are no Hollywood cliches here. I never felt manipulated and the movie could have turned sappy with those phony moments that most movies about cancer usually have. Look at old movies like "Windy City" and "Dying Young", movies that were obnoxious and phony, to see what I mean.

I felt that the situations that unfolded during the movie seemed plausible and scenes with the doctors felt right and truthful. The movie is also witty with very funny laugh out loud moments. I also felt that the love story with Adam and Katherine was sweet and touching. They are both good people and we want them to grow closer to each other. I also was moved by the friendship between Adam and Kyle. I liked Anjelica Huston as Adam's mother but her character was a weak link in this story and sometimes just a little over-the-top.

So I like the love story a lot and it's strength and subtlety made this movie greater. I also love that the movie doesn't pull any punches and goes over the edge in it's humor. The movie doesn't play it safe and there are some very funny, good scenes that could have been in bad taste but turn out true and hilarious. I felt that this movie was truthful and felt real and that it didn't go for that dramatic, false ending. The movie has an ending that doesn't end in melodrama. I also had back up because I saw this movie at a sneak preview with an audience that had a lot of cancer survivors in it. After the movie almost all of that audience was in tears and I knew then that the movie completed it's goal.

The acting in "50/50" is really strong and all the performances were effective. Joseph Gordon-Levitt to me is on a short list with Ryan Gosling as the two best actors in their age range working today. I may be being bold here but Levitt gives an award worthy performance here. He is very natural here and his scenes that require a lot of emotions are played just right here. He doesn't over reach for effect and there is a scene here where he lets his emotions go and it is powerful. Seth Rogen is very funny here and his character could have been shallow but Rogen makes him very likable. Anna Kendrick is also sweet and likable here and she just has an easy going way about her and I never see her acting.

"50/50" was a rewarding experience that was touching, realistic, funny and sad with poignant moments that seem true. It is a very good mix of everything and I was with it all the way.