50/50

Heartwarming, healing, and hilarious 50/50 really surprised me. The premise alone could turn audiences away: a comedy about cancer? How could it be done well? If you want to know, see this movie.

Starting as a normal day in the life of Adam we are introduced to the other characters. Then, as luck would have it Adam learns he has a rare form of back cancer. The comedy before this event, while good, is nowhere near as fun or funny as after learning he has cancer.

The writing is stupendous! Line after line of pithy witty dialogue, each more entertaining than the last keeps the audience engaged. With much humor it seems that the heart of the story could be lost, and yet the story stays true to what it should be. The theater was full and tears were flowing from many faces as the sounds of sniffling filled the air during various touching events. Cancer is a scary thing and one of the best lines of the films personifies how I'm sure many cancer patients feel. To paraphrase: Why can't people just say 'hey, you're dying' and stop ignoring the problem.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives an incredible performance. To be honest I actually believed that he had cancer the entire movie. The emotions, or lack there of for much of the movie, he expressed were astounding and real. It didn't hurt to have a therapist (played beautifully by Anna Kendrick) throughout the movie to help us understand that Adam's reactions were normal responses to cancer. It made his emotions seem more real.  Even Seth Rogen gives a fantastic performance. Most of the time he plays a naive idiot, but this time his performance is full of heart.

The final part of this movie that brings it all together is the music. Michael Giacchino gets it. He knows the exact music that fits the emotions of the movie. He did it in Up and he does it again in 50/50. Simple songs fitting every mood and occasion. The music adds to the acting and the writing and creates a near perfect movie experience.

If you or anyone you know have been touched by cancer, see this movie. Or even if you just like comedies see this movie! Excellent! Early Oscar contender for sure. Best Acting nomination to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Best Score nomination to Michael Giacchino, and it could possibly steal a Best Picture nomination as well.

8.5/10