Sometimes a small movie has the ability to rise above the challenges of box-office success and critical reviews to cement itself as just a plain good movie through and through. Although it was supported by critics but scarcely seen by viewers when it was released theatrically in the fall of 2011, 50/50 is such a movie.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Adam, a 27-year-old man who receives the news that he has a rare form of spinal cancer. His situation has a drastic effect on those closest to him, including his best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) - who tries his best to support him through humour. The film was based on Rogen's true-to-life experience with writer Will Reiser, and the actor encouraged his friend to write a screenplay about the dramatic challenges and situations in fighting the disease from an honest but comedic perspective.
The Movie
If you love the type of witty, clever, and often vulgar works of filmmaker Kevin Smith, then 50/50 is very much up your alley. This movie, directed by Jonathan Levine, feels very real and balances the dramatic elements with the comedy aspects incredibly well. The script is rock solid in both themes, tugging on the heartstrings where it needs to, and making you laugh in areas where similar films would have trouble doing so.
Since his role in Stop-Loss, Joesph Gordon-Levitt has been delivering solid performances in almost everything he has appeared in since, and 50/50 stands as one of his absolute best to date. There are some poignant scenes where Adam shows some truly raw emotions of fear and frustration, and Gordon-Levitt pulls it off effortlessly - proving he is one of the best young actors in the business today.
The supporting cast also deserves some recognition. Rogen essentially plays himself, but he's perfect in doing so because that's who his character was based on, and it works. Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air) plays Adam's therapist and potential love interest, but that angle thankfully doesn't sit as the heart of the movie. Anjelica Houston steps up as an over-bearing but rightfully concerned mother, and Bryce Howard Dallas has the dubious task of playing a girlfriend who is morally incapable of giving Adam the help he needs.
50/50 is a surprising gem in a sea of formula-driven comedies, but it also has no shortage of emotional wallop. It is a film that should be commended for having the guts to play it straight-and-honest in finding the hilarity in one of the toughest human situations imaginable. Feature Content: 4.5/5
The Blu-ray
Released on January 24, 2011, in a single-disc 1080p high-definition Blu-ray edition, 50/50's video and audio quality are just as well executed and balanced as the film itself. The picture is sharp and crisp, while the DTS HD Master Audio Track proves to be more active than you might expect by enhancing background noises and pouring on the force for the louder scenes. Video & Audio: 4/5
The disc comes with a few bonus features - including an informative commentary track with many participants in the making of the film, five Deleted Scenes of actual value, and a few background featurettes on the true story that inspired the movie. Some material repeats itself, but for the most part you get some value with what is attached to the film. Bonus Features: 3.5/5
Final Thoughts
50/50 is an exceptional film that is backed up by a solid Blu-ray presentation. The edition can be picked up for a relatively cheap price of around $20, and at that price the disc is a steal for one of the best films to come out of 2011. Some viewers might be thrown by how raunchy this film can get surrounding a very sensitive subject, but it's executed wonderfully with incredible bravery. This is a movie not to be missed. Consumer/Collector Value: 4/5
50/50
- Director: Jonathan Levine
- Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Howard Dallas, Anjelica Houston
- 2011 Summitt Entertainment
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
- Running Time: 100 minutes
Ryan Young - Ryan Young is a Film and Sports article/review writer, based in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada.
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