50/50

Movie Title--  50/50

Release Year--  2011

Running Time--  1 Hour and 40 Minutes

Director--  Jonathan Levine

Cast--  Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston, Serge Houde, Andrew Airlie, Matt Frewer, Phillip Baker Hall

27 year old Adam is diagnosed with cancer and is given a 50/50 chance of living.

Mild mannered and introverted 27 year old, Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) works with his best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) as a public radio journalist in Seattle and lives with his girlfriend Rachel (Bryce Dallas Howard), living a comfortable, safe life.  After he is bothered with some pain in his back, he goes to the doctor and learns that he has schwannoma neurofibrosarcoma, a tumor in his  spine and the doctor wants to start chemotherapy right away.  He goes home and tells Rachel about his illness and she takes it well, however when he tells Kyle, Kyle freaks out.  Kyle then asks how Diane (Angelica Huston), Adam's mother, took the news and Adam tells Kyle he has not told her yet. 

Adam takes Rachel with him to visit his parents and over dinner, he tells them that he has cancer.  Diane insists that she move in with Adam  to take care of him and Adam replies by tell her that she has enough on her plate due to already taking care of his father who has Alzheimer's.  When Diane asks who is going to take care of him, Rachel announces that she will. 

Adam is sent to a therapist, Kathrine McKay (Anna Kendrick), that is supposed to help cope with his diagnosis but he becomes skeptical when he learns that he is only her 3rd patient that is still working on her Ph.D.  Rachel begins taking Adam to his chemo treatments but refuses to come inside because she doesn't like the negative vibes she gets from the hospital and from time to time, she forgets to pick him up when his treatment is done.

As Adam struggles with the ups and downs of diagnosis, Kyle, Rachel and Kathrine try to keep Adam's spirits high while at the same time,  Adam is dealing with the realization that the time he has left could be very short.

I enjoyed this film.  I thought it was very a very entertaining film dealing with a difficult subject.  Adam tries to stay positive but slowly he begins to show the signs of grief when dealing with his diagnosis and I think that Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a great job with this character.  

This story in this film is really well written and acted.  When most people think about Seth Rogen, they think stoner film and yes, where there is some pot smoking in this film, it isn't what dominates the theme.  It is straight up a film about a man that is coping with his mortality and the fact that there is a chance he may not come out of it alive.  

I would recommend this film to anyone.  It is amusing, sad and all around a good film to watch.  Keep some tissues handy just in case and Don't Forget the Popcorn!