TIFF Review: 50/50
Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt team up for this dramedy
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth RogenPic: Summit EntertainmentSeth Rogen took a risk when he decided to produce a dramedy about a young man who’s diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. But the risk paid off because 50/50 is a touching, memorable movie that will have you laughing – and possibly crying.
The film – which had its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival and opens in theatres on Sept. 30 – stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception, 500 Days of Summer) as Adam, a 27-year-old Seattle radio producer who finds out he has a rare type of cancer in his spine, and a 50/50 chance of survival.
“I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I recycle,” Adam says after finding out he has cancer.
His close friend Kyle (played by Seth Rogen) is with him along the complicated ride. The dynamic between the two friends is great in the film. As is Gordon-Levitt’s on-screen chemistry with Anna Kendrick (Twilight, Up in the Air), who exudes charm as his 24-year-old therapist.
There are a number of great subplots in 50/50 – including Adam’s relationship with his selfish girlfriend, his dynamic with his overprotective mother and his therapy sessions. Writer Will Reiser (who’s friends with Rogen in real life) suffered from cancer himself, so the movie is very personal.
Gordon-Levitt delivers an outstanding performance in the film, as do Rogen (who brings the laughs as per usual), Anjelica Huston (who plays Adam’s mother), Bryce Dallas Howard (Adam's girlfriend in the film) and Anna Kendrick.
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