50/50

“50/50” is the story of Adam, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a 27-year-old who finds out he has a rare form of cancer. The story follows his diagnosis and treatment and his life as a producer for public radio, and, most of all, his relationship with his buddy, played by Seth Rogen.

Seth Rogen comfortably plays yet another bombastic chucklehead, but it’s not overbearing. He plays the comic relief very well, even though at times he seems like he’s trying to channel a little Superbad. Nonetheless, his outbursts always provide what comic relief (or any kind of foil for that matter) should: keeping things moving. This story never lags or pauses.

Anjelica Huston plays his worrying, comfortably-overbearing mother and completely shines in it. She fits in the film perfectly, which actually surprised me — her character is so nuanced and understated. Most of the characters I’m accustomed to seeing her play are much more “weird”: Morticia Adams and Wes Anderson’s sundry detached matriarchs. Seeing her play a real character felt like such a breath of fresh air.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has always played understated, human roles, which I think is at least kind of rare for an ex-child-actor, and he’s perfectly fine in this movie. This role is an iteration for him. It’s fun seeing him stretching his wings and succeeding. Remember Inception? Remember thinking, “What? Joseph Gordon-Levitt in an action movie?”. Yeah, this is like that. He’s great.

The story doesn’t pull any punches with the cancer stuff, which is perfect. It reminds me of what I wanted out of Judd Apatow’s “Funny People”. Which is to say: I wanted it to make me laugh and still give a shit about any of the characters.

I loved this movie so much I don’t care that no one reads my blog, I don’t care if people think I’m an asshole, I’m compelled to write this. “I loved it”. There, I’m done.

  1. drcairns posted this