Rare are the moments when you smile, laugh, cry or fight anger and frustration as along you watch a film. Rare are indeed those films where every emotion you feel is not just for some touching story but the emotions as the lead protagonist is going through in every single moment of his journey, even when he is not in the frame. Rare indeed is Jonathan Levine's Joseph Gordon-Levitt starer comedy-drama '50/50'.
Inspired by the true story of the film's own screenplay writer Will Reiser, 50/50 is centered on a 27 year old guy Adam, played by Gordon-Levitt, who learns of his cancer diagnosis of a rare kind with a 50% chances of survival rate, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease. Adam's cancer struggle brings out his relationship with his best friend Kyle, who apparently is using his disease to get girlfriends, his live-in painter girlfriend Rachael, who has not been having sex with him even before the cancer diagnosis, his mother who is already taking care of his Alzheimer suffering father and his therapist Katherine, for whom Adam is her third patient.
The strength of this beautiful film lies in its very story that is simple, has got normal people we meet in our regular life and one with events that are instantly relate-able, no matter if you have never known any cancer patient in your life. The dialogues are not at all designed to be heavy or motivating and the protagonist is not at all shown to be an underdog to inspire people. Every subsequent scene happens naturally and every emotion is as believable as it can be. As a viewer I felt the exact way as its lead protagonist, without ever finding the film predictable or clichéd.
The film is embellished with one hart-warming scene after another that you will lovingly recall even long after the film is over. The scene where Kyle talks to Adam about what his girlfriends is supposed to do to him, Adam's first meeting with cancer patients Allan and Mitch and their subsequent meetings or the Adam's surgery scene in the end which brought tears to my eyes. The 'touching' scenes and the nervous breakdown scene between Adam and Katherine bring out their simple yet endearing connect. In fact, I can go on and on with my favorite scene and may in-turn tell the entire film which will be too much for a spoiler.
The strength of this beautiful film lies in its very story that is simple, has got normal people we meet in our regular life and one with events that are instantly relate-able, no matter if you have never known any cancer patient in your life. The dialogues are not at all designed to be heavy or motivating and the protagonist is not at all shown to be an underdog to inspire people. Every subsequent scene happens naturally and every emotion is as believable as it can be. As a viewer I felt the exact way as its lead protagonist, without ever finding the film predictable or clichéd.
The film is embellished with one hart-warming scene after another that you will lovingly recall even long after the film is over. The scene where Kyle talks to Adam about what his girlfriends is supposed to do to him, Adam's first meeting with cancer patients Allan and Mitch and their subsequent meetings or the Adam's surgery scene in the end which brought tears to my eyes. The 'touching' scenes and the nervous breakdown scene between Adam and Katherine bring out their simple yet endearing connect. In fact, I can go on and on with my favorite scene and may in-turn tell the entire film which will be too much for a spoiler.
Apart from the wonderful screenplay, it's the actors who live their characters making its absolutely impossible to even think that there could have been any more perfect casting. Joseph Gorden-Levitt once again displays his perfect understanding of his craft as he lives the character of Adam with his every weakness, every nervous breakdown, every fear and every single smile. He displays once again why he is rightly considered among the best talent of his generation. Seth Rogan as Adam's best friend apparently plays the same role which he played in the life of the film's screen-writer and comes out with a praiseworthy portrayal of a guy best friend as we all would wish to have for a best friend. Angelica Huston as Adam's mom is feisty yet vulnerable enough in a performance that is heartwarming to the core. Anna Kendricks's portrayal of the medical student and Adam's therapist Katherine is fabulously understated and spontaneous that brings an assuring smile to your face. Bryce Dallas Howard as Rachael is tremendous is the small but key role. And a must mention for the Serge Hound who is absolutely marvelous as Richard's Alzheimer stricken father even in the very little screen time he gets.
50/50 is a precious little gem of a film filled with layered and nuanced performances by it entire cast, supremely beautiful background score that adds depth to the story, cinematography that captures the journey of its protagonist with a big heart and a direction that is exemplary enough to let the subject matter shine to its best.
I am going out with 4.5 of of 5 stars for Levine's comedy-drama. It's definitely among the best films to come out this year and a must watch. Go for it.
50/50 is a precious little gem of a film filled with layered and nuanced performances by it entire cast, supremely beautiful background score that adds depth to the story, cinematography that captures the journey of its protagonist with a big heart and a direction that is exemplary enough to let the subject matter shine to its best.
I am going out with 4.5 of of 5 stars for Levine's comedy-drama. It's definitely among the best films to come out this year and a must watch. Go for it.
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