Official Synopsis:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen team up to beat the odds in a film that Peter Travers of Rolling Stone calls “achingly hilarious and heartfelt.” Diagnosed with spinal cancer, 27-year-old Adam (Gordon-Levitt) navigates the road to recovery with the sometimes overbearing support of his crude best friend (Rogen), his smothering mother (Anjelica Huston) and an inexperienced therapist (Anna Kendrick). Inspired by the true story, 50/50 is an honest yet hysterically funny account of a young man’s journey toward healing.
Our Take:
50/50 is one of the best films of 2011 and one of my favorites. I absolutely loved this film and saw it twice in theaters. It’s a fantastic script from Will Reiser. Greatly performed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt who I thought should have gotten some award recognition. For those expecting the prototypical Seth Rogen movie, you are mistaken. It’s a great film for a generation of people who think they are immortal. Based on the real life cancer scare of writer Reiser and his experiences with real life friend Rogen, the film is touching, funny, sweet, comical, everything real life is all rolled into one. It’s a story of friendship, family, bonding, losing love and finding love where you least expect it and finding something positive in a shockingly difficult time. Just a brilliant film.
Audio & Video:
The video quality is top notch highlighting the amazing weather of Seattle. The city shines in perfect HD. Audio quality is just as good with the film’s incredible soundtrack popping on your flat screen. From Radiohead to Pearl Jam, the film’s music sounds vibrant.
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary with Seth Rogen, Director Jonathan Levine, and Writer Will Reiser
- Deleted Scenes
- The Story of 50/50
- Life Inspires Art
- Seek and Destroy
Conclusion:
50/50 speaks volumes to a generation. Reiser’s cancer as a 20 something year old makes for a really good film. Gordon-Levitt’s performance will amaze people and his chemistry with both Rogen and Kendrick is spot on. Bryce Dallas Howard plays an astonishingly good girlfriend/ex-girlfriend and Huston gives a great performance as the over bearing mother. If you’ve ever known someone with cancer, see this film. If you’ve ever gone through hardship in a time of your life when others are experiencing the world, see this film. Even if you haven’t gone through anything like it and don’t know anyone who has, see this film. One of the best of 2011.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I actually had the chance to meet Seth Rogen and writer Will Reiser and you can read my interview with them here: http://www.examiner.com/movie-in-boston/sitting-down-with-seth-rogen-will-reiser
Overall Picture:
Movie: A
Video: A
Audio: A
Extra Features: A
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