50/50 (2011)

Rating: 7.3/10

"Adam: A tumor? 

 Dr. Ross: Yes. 

Adam: Me? 

Dr. Ross: Yes. 

Adam: That doesn't make any sense though. I mean... I don't smoke, I don't drink... I recycle..."

 It is a pleasant delight to stumble upon films that not only have brains put into them but lots of heart and love. '50/50' is just that! A film with heart.

It's inspired by a true story and it's a comedy that centers on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease. (www.imdb.com)

A story that seems to be quite popular nowadays, but with this one script-writer Will Reiser managed to put a lot of bittersweet moments in, just to spice things up. Given the fact that this is his first proper try out for a tragi-comedy, '50/50' is one of those films that will have you pop between laughs and tears. The very fact that Reiser managed  to establish 'cancer' as something so not bizarre to happen to a 27-year-old, makes you sit down and pay atttention; what in the world would a 27-year-old healthy (presumably) young man do if he found out he had cancer?

The answer comes in the main lead, who is none other than the Indie-actor favourite over the last decade, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He might first popped through our screens from a mid 1990s TV Show about aliens ('3rd Rock from the Sun'), but over the years he has performed in a swirl of excellent indie films thus reaching a point of his life to be the young prince of the Indie Film Industry. In this film, he was both effortlessly funny and dramatically brilliant, that gave the viewer all these emotional stages to juggle through during the film. For me, this actor is heading to a thespian super-stardom.

Co-staring along-side the brilliant Gordon-Levitt, is the up-coming and Hollywood favourite comedian, Seth Rogen.  Since Rogen is seen in most films these days, I won't say his the most brilliant comedic out there, but he definitely grows on you both as an actor and as a comedian. He has that spark that makes you want to laugh and enjoy his jokes in every film he does. And '50/50' is no exclusion. He is the comedic relief, truth be told, but he does his part so very well, as the best friend of a cancer-patient, that he makes you feel his humane side as well. Look forward in seeing him excel in the near-future.

Of course the film would be altogether a nuisance without the presence of up-coming star-ladies Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard, who are both serious and comedic actresses to come in a total completion of this fun-loving cast. But the real gem is Gordon-Levitt's on screen mother, Angelica Huston, who with her warmth and tenderness extends her love to every mother who's child has been struck with cancer of any form. She gives, as always a superb and touching performance, and makes her every on-screen second count.

This film is a small gem for me and recommend it to everyone. It is warm, and touching and has some really sweet, tender moments about family, friendship and above all about the hope to live.

Hope you get to enjoy it!

50/50 (2011)