50/50 Review: Can You Make A Comedy About Tragedy?

Posted by on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 5:27 am PST · 1 Comment 

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50 50 poster

50/50 Official Movie Poster

Inspired by a true story, 50/50 showcases the life of 27 year-old Adam (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt of 500 Days of Summer, Inception, etc.) a Seattle radio producer, who learns that he has a malignant tumor in his spine. Like any other 27 year-old would do, or rather any human being, he looks up at his doctor and asks, “But I’m going to be okay?”  The title of the film is the grim but hopeful answer to that question.

The movie is a roller coaster of emotions. 50/50 will have you tearing up with Gordon-Levitt’s flawless performance as he goes through the grueling rituals of a cancer patient – the head shaving, the emotional gatherings of fellow cancer sufferers, the idle of hours of sitting as their veins are pumped with chemo. Fortunately, Adam’s best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) is there like a trusty sidekick to help out his best friend through his toughest moments. As with most of Rogen’s characters, Kyle provides the comic humor for this movie. I had a laugh trip as Rogen displayed his characteristic “puppy like” vulgarity by cracking jokes about barbered testicles and the benefits of playing the “C card” (the cancer card) with girls.

Adam’s family and his girlfriend also play supporting roles throughout the film, and reveal the intricate interplay of how friends and family might respond to a loved one’s shocking illness. Adam’s fussy mother (Anjelica Huston) offers to move in with her ailing son. Adam’s attractive artsy girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard) is quite selfish and gets Adam a dog because she can’t handle the illness’s “negative energy.” 50/50 tackles really heavy subject matter and perfectly mixes it with a right amount of smart, witty humor at the right times. Terribly funny and genuinely moving, 50/50 will no doubt leave you teary eyed one way or another.

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Comments
One Response to “50/50 Review: Can You Make A Comedy About Tragedy?”
  1. Dan O. says:
    October 3, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    Mixing humor and painful subject matter is, naturally, very difficult. The beauty of this movie is that it does so with ease, especially with such good actors in these roles as well. Good review. Check out my review when you get a chance.