Ryan McNeil
You always hear about shock, denial, bargaining, guilt, anger, depression, and acceptance. You don’t usually hear about trying to get laid, succeeding in getting stoned, and finding your life now accompanied by a gigantic dog. What does that tell us? That everybody handles things differently.
Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is an idealist. He doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink, doesn’t even drive. He works for Seattle Public Radio and pines for the days when people used to turn to the audio medium for the information and entertainment. After feeling a strange bit of back pain, he goes to the doctor for a check up and is diagnosed with a rare type of cancer (a tumour against his spine). As Adam researches his type of cancer, he discovers that his odds of survival are 50/50.
Thankfully, Adam isn’t in this alone. He has his girlfriend Rachel (Bryce Dallas-Howard), who declines his offer to sever ties and instead wants to up the ante on their relationship and help take care of him. He has a therapist named Katie (Anna Kendrick) who is so young and inexperienced, she likely still has that new car smell. And somewhat to Adam’s chagrin, he has his mother Diane (Anjelica Huston), who now officially has her hands full since Adam’s father Richard has Alzheimer’s.
Last but not least, there’s Adam’s best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen). Kyle might seem to be a schlubby stoner who isn’t interested in taking the situation seriously, but as it happens he’s got it where it counts and wants nothing more than to be there for Adam as he goes through his fight.
What 50/50 understands best, is the way in which we all deal with life-changing news differently. There are scores of books written on the various stages of emotion and the usual order that the dominoes will fall – but they aren’t gospel. People’s situations, outlooks, and desires are all so different, that sometimes the gravity of the situation can take a while to sink in. Other times, the positive energy might find a level higher than most. Still other times, the anger, which seemed to be widely absent from a problem can manifest itself at a late and unexpected moment. Everything about Adam’s situation is unique to him, therefore the rulebook hasn’t been written yet.
As such, going on this journey with Adam, and seeing how he fields what gets thrown at him is what makes the film so personal. Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s performance in this film finds a sweet spot that he has only shown glimmers of so far. Many of his recent films have shown his immense talent, but 50/50 has him bringing something incredibly textured. He understands that this part is not just about a 20-something guy moping…nor is it about him being bitter…or hopeful. It’s about a delicate blend of all three, and the emotions sometimes have to come-and-go by the line. He executes it remarkably well, and pulls off a wonderfully human bit of acting.
The poster for 50/50 carries with it a cheeky tagline: “It takes a pair to beat the odds” (Alluding to Adam and Kyle’s friendship…well…amongst other things). But as the film plays out, it proves that little witticism wrong. It takes more than a pair: It takes as many warm bodies as can be found. It takes friends, it takes family, it takes fellow survivors, it takes support groups…hell, it’d be shorter to list what it doesn’t take. As the film points out though, there’s an element of toughness that must come with such a network. It will be trying, it will be painful, and it could test the bonds of the relationship. Hopefully though, when the dust settles, everyone gets a moment to step back and realize what has been brought to the situation.
The way these relationships are examined, the way the humour punctuates the story but doesn’t overrun it, and the very honest things these characters say to one-another is what makes 50/50 a special film. If you’ve flipped past The Lifetime Network when you were bored one Sunday night, you’ve likely seen “Some Cancer Movie” that heightens up the weepy and the inspiration, but feels far too put-on. While those films might likewise be “based on a true story”, the way Will Reiser attacked his screenwriting with equal parts inspiration and confession gives the whole structure some much-needed oxygen.
I believe there’s a difference between finding the comedy in a situation and turning it into a comedy. Sometimes in life, you have to laugh at the tough stuff. It brings about a positive energy that re-enforces your resolve, and helps one get above the problem if only for a fleeting moment. 50/50 understands this need: It’s a film that wants to laugh in the face of the cancer, not because of the cancer. This genuine course of humour, and the truth it helps the film uncover are what make 50/50 a beautiful human experience.
Great review! I saw this movie during TIFF and loved it. It played mid fest and it was the first movie I really enjoyed. I laughed, I cried and thought all of the performances were really well done and it felt very real compared to other similar topic movies.
I do wish I’d seen this during TIFF, but it fell victim to the whole scheduling/upcoming release date quandary.
Must have been a charged crowd at the premiere!
I do like the fact that the film builds around this network of compelling relationships that build a community that truly becomes Adam’s life support system. My big problem with the movie is that I think the plot gets in the way from time to time and sometimes I feel like the characters get off too easy with acting out. They’re best when they are challenging each other instead of simply letting their flaws and spats of anger get the best of them.
Interesting. I actually liked the way that outbursts were handled in a grown-up manner…
Beautiful review, man! I found 50/50 to be an honest and poignant approach to a very sensitive topic. It’s also one of my favorites of last year. The writing and the acting is perfect.