Film Review: 50/50

50/50 is a film starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen, and deals with Cancer and the events that follow for one young man.

We are introduced to Adam Lerner (Levitt) at the start of the film as he is jogging. He reaches traffic lights, and despite there being no traffic whatsoever, he decides against crossing. This is the most important character trait that Adam has - he is very sensible.

We are also introduced to his best friend, and work colleague, Kyle (Rogen) and his girlfriend Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard). It appears that they are having problems in their relationship but Adam seems too nice to think that they might be serious enough to deal with. It is evident from his interactions with Rachael that she may be hiding something.

Adam goes to see his doctor, who casually tells him that he has a Neurofibrosarcoma Schwannoma (malignant tumor), before telling him what this is in plain English. After hearing the word 'cancer', Adam is in shock. After being so careful in life and never rocking the boat, how could something so bad happen to him? After researching this, he realises that he has a 50/50 chance of beating it.

This news shocks everyone, and each person responds in the way they feel will help; Kyle is a bit of a joker and he tries to put Adam at ease by wanting to have fun. Later, he also wants Adam to use his condition to pick up women. Rachael agrees that she will look after Adam despite him giving her the option to 'bail' if she wants to. Thirdly, Adam's mum, Diane, wants to protect her child (even though he is 27 years old), smothering him at every opportunity as she panics as to what's best to do.

After being out on a date, Kyle discovers that Rachael is cheating on Adam. He goes to see Adam that night and, in front of Rachael, shows him the photographic evidence of her betrayal. This leads Adam to end things with her. It also contributes to his change in attitude.

On hearing this devastating, life-changing news, Adam starts to doubt the way he lives his life. He has been so careful, never rocking the boat and it's as if he has been punished for this. He decides to take action; after all, he may die so this is now the time to live his life to the fullest.

Additionally, He reluctantly goes to therapy, where he meets his young and inexperienced therapist Katherine (Anna Kendrick). This is where his barriers come down and he is able to say how he feels. This doesn't happen at first as he is very sceptical about attending; especially when he realises that he is only her third patient. Eventually, they get closer and Adam feels he can open up more.

A very important encounter that he has during chemotherapy is with older patients, Alan and Mitch. Alan is probably in his late sixties/early seventies and Mitch a little younger. The three of them form a bond. When Mitch dies, Adam realises that this could very well be his fate, too. Alan doesn't respond well to this situation and doesn't help Adam's view of death.

The line between doctor/patient and friends gets crossed when Adam and Katherine share a car journey to get Adam home. There is an awkward moment between them that shows that there may be something there. Later, after Adam has a tantrum in Kyle's car, he phones Katherine and completely crosses that line when he tells her that he wishes that she were his girlfriend - this is something that seems to make her happy.

In a funny way, this situation that Adam finds himself in is the wake-up call that he needed in his life. He becomes unafraid of situations that he wouldn't have dealt with before: he does drugs (smoking weed with Kyle), he demands to drive Kyle's car (nearly causing an accident in the process!). He also stops accepting how his relationship is with Rachael, and once he finds out about her betrayal, he has no problem not pandering to her anymore. He also takes a chance and tells Katherine that he'd like her to be his girlfriend - something that a straight-edged Adam wouldn't have dared to do.

This film deals with various themes including friendship, reassessing close relationships, grief, and letting go and living life. Really good performances from Levitt and Kendrick, and some comic relief from Rogen in his awkward, try-to-say/do-the-right-thing role!

Jimmo's score: 5/5

@jimmosangle