50/50 Review
Thanks to Show Film First I got to see a screening of 50/50 tonight before its general release this Friday.
The film follows Adam (Joseph Gordon Levitt) and his life from the moment he learns he has cancer. It shows how he copes with the news and how it affects his relationships with his girlfriend, his best friend and his mother.
50/50 has a stellar cast led by Levitt who is an actor that goes from strength to strength. I admire Levitt’s choices in films and how he let his career play out after Third Rock From The Sun finished, choosing indie films like Brick over anything mainstream really proved his chops as an actor. The fact that he has appeared in incredible films ever since really validates the route he took. His involvement in this project settled any doubts I had about a “cancer comedy”.
Yes a cancer comedy. A cancer comedy that stars Seth Rogen. No, don’t worry it’s not Funny People, unlike that god awful effort there actually is funny people in this one. Though Seth Rogen is doing his usual stoner, bumbling comedy role I am happy to see him here. He is a great sidekick to Levitt and they have real chemistry on screen.
The way the film progresses is very enjoyable and above all else, heartfelt. You may feel it’s rather paint by numbers at times, but it is sincere and emotionally involving. It never feels like it is preaching, the dialogue is real and the parts with Adam’s mother played EXCELLENTLY by Angelica Huston (performance of the film for me), hit the nail on the head. It portrays the struggle of a mother/son relationship going through incredibly hard times with humour and real tenderness most people can identify with.
This film may not be as daring as many would like, but it doesn’t need to be. It creates the perfect balance between emotion and chuckles, a film that will have you crying from both laughter and sadness. A tough mix to pull off, but it manages it with ease.
This should be your film to see this weekend.
4/5
