Director Jonathan Levine’s latest movie “50/50” opens Friday and the reviews are coming in—and they’re good.
The movie—starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick—is inspired by a true story, about a young man who is diagnosed with cancer, and is aided by his best friend during his journey to good health.
When Gordon-Levitt’s character Adam first learns of his diagnosis he questions the validity of the diagnosis because of his healthy habits. Shocked, Adam asks the doctor “Tumor? Me? That doesn’t make any sense. I mean I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, you know, I recycle.”
Adam goes through four emotional fazes while he tries to comprehend the enormity of what’s happening to him:
1. Shock
2. Denial
3. Resistance
4. Acceptance
And his best friend Kyle (Rogen) tries to be there with him every step of the way, and even helps Adam shave his head.
His chance of survival? Well, the title of the movie explains it all: 50/50.
Critics on the popular movie website Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a combined rating of 93 percent. Among top critics the rating dropped slightly to 89 percent.
Claudia Pulg a movie critic for USA Today writes:
“Easily one of the funniest films about serious illness, it is also that rare buoyant comedy that can elicit heartfelt tears. Avoiding sappy sentimentality and snarky trivializing, the story is sincere and deeply affecting.”
Jonathan Hickman of Daily Film fix writes in his review:
“’50/50’ is a remarkable film. Not one single moment rings untrue. It is the most sincere movie I’ve seen so far this year. What is most remarkable is that while it deals with a serious and often depressing subject, it is one of the funniest films of the year as well.”
