50/50 Review

Cancer, a horror like no other, is a deadly mutation of our white blood cells. Though treatable, it is never to be taken lightly. It has the power to take the lives of the ones we love most and to rip the rug out from under our feet when we least expect it. Those living with the horrid disease can only truly understand how it eats away at their health but it’s when it hits home that we can actually comprehend the destructive capability it has on us all.

In Jonathan Levine’s dramatic comedy 50/50, Adam Schwartz (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a 27 year-old radio publicist with his entire life ahead of him, is diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer. Through the help of his supportive, yet questionable girlfriend, Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard), he undergoes the task of living with the disease. His best friend, Kyle (Seth Rogen), guides Adam along the road to recovery, though he may seem selfish at times, Kyle only wants the best for him.

Adam’s never smoked though. He’s never committed a felony, never drank alcohol – he even recycles, and somehow he is the one to be burdened with the deadly curse. As the side effects start to plague his mind, Adam is prescribed a weakly dose of therapy with the hospital’s newest therapist, Katherine (Anna Kendrick). Though, Adam was sent to her to help relieve the tension on his own problems, he starts to show her the finer sides of life as their relationship strengthens.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt acts in one of the greatest performances of his career. You can see the true sorrow and sympathy in each and every one of his friends as he tells them the news of cancer. Seth Rogen is even known as the idiotic stoner in most of his movies, but he portrays a character like no other in 50/50. Amazing writing supports the, what seems to be, even more amazing characters as the story continues on.

The film will make you laugh till cry and make you cry till you, well, cry some more. It’ll show you the true, deadly affects that cancer can have on not only the one living with it, but also the friends and family who continue to support their friend in need. The film can hit you with the hard realization of the fragility of life itself, but will also show you how to respect it in a finer way.

The dramatic and heartwarming true story of a man understanding the finer side of life and overcoming the ultimate fears of death, 50/50 is an amazing character study that is by far one of the best films of the year.

4 stars out of 4