About.com Rating

Based on real events from screenwriter Will Reiser's life, 50/50 contains all the chief clichés of a cancer movie. The film, however, manages to overcome them with genuine surprises from director Jonathan Levine (The Wackness) and the charisma of its leading man.

As Adam Lerner, a 27-year-old NPR reporter in Seattle with a rare form of spinal cancer, Joseph Gordon-Levitt pushes through the obligatory conceptual stages of denial and grief to focus on the realistic details of his treatment and its effects on his life without resorting to melodrama or hollow sentiment.

Showcased by Levine's whimsical yet tender set pieces, Gordon-Levitt's performance is engaging and carries the movie to its heartfelt ending.

Admittedly, the first part of 50/50—from diagnosis to first treatment—drags. Levine offers up the usual indifferent doctor delivering an impersonal diagnosis, well-meaning co-workers and friends full of unhelpful advice and awkward stares, the strident and over-protective mother (Angelica Huston), and, of course, the head-shaving scene. In addition, Seth Rogen, as lifelong best friend and co-worker Kyle, plays the same type of selfish boor he always plays, and none of his misguided attempts at comforting Adam make up for his crass wisecracks or misogynistic exploits, although at one point the movie tries to tell us this is so.

Still, when Adam, given a few brownies laced with medical marijuana by fellow patient played by Philip Baker Hall, concludes his first chemotherapy session and wanders the oncology ward stifling the giggles, the film is transformed.

In a genius move, Levine sets this scene to the Bee Gees. From then on, the focus of the film shifts from the supporting cast, including an overly made-up Bryce Dallas Howard as Adam's artist girlfriend, to Adam. His change from a Pollyanna people pleaser (except with his mom) to someone struggling to put his own health first makes him fascinating to watch. He's aided in this dynamic change by therapy Ph.D. candidate Katherine, portrayed charmingly by Anna Kendrick.

The relationship between Adam and Katherine is at its best when the line between professional and personal gets crossed. The film is able to keep some of its seriocomic post-modernism (like mentioning Terms of Endearment at dinner) by highlighting Katherine's inexperience with patients. The running gag about her touching Adam's arm in an attempt to be comforting (like a seal flipper) is creative, and it also sets the tone for more.

Marketed as a comedy, 50/50 actually takes a very serious look at mortality. The scenes between Adam and Katherine are especially well done. Her earnestness isn't overplayed, as it's just the right amount to keep pushing her patient to talk about his concerns over what could be his eventual prognosis. Although there's no real fear that Adam will die during the course of the film, the story allows the characters to think and act as if it's a real possibility. In this way, it is able to re-introduce Adam's mother into the story in an affecting way and earn its ending.

50/50 (2011)

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston
Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Produced by: Will Reiser, Nathan Kahane, Seth Rogen
Release Date: September 30th, 2011 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, sexual content and some drug use. Distributors: Summit Entertainment