50/50 (2011)

50/50 follows a story of a radio journalist named Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). His life gets a turn for the worst when he is diagnosed with a rare spinal cancer with an estimated 50% chance of survival. The movie focuses on Adam going through this mid-life crisis while at the same time trying to cope with this deadly illness. 50/50 is an extremely well made film! Not only was I surprised by how well written and likeable the characters were, it also gives out an emotional story that you are sure to remember for years to come despite how tragic it is considering the main character is a cancer patient. Seth Rogen provides the role of Adam’s best friend, Kyle, giving out one of his more subtle performances. He is not as chaotic and over-the-top as we are used to seeing him as, but he is still as laugh-out-loud hilarious and likeable as he will ever be also providing more of the movies’ funnier moments. There are many other great supporting roles in this from Anna Kendrick as Adam’s therapist who grows more into a love interest role and Angelica Huston as Adam’s moving and supporting mother. All these characters are great and are only the icing on the cake for what is to come within this incredibly inspiring story. Mixed in with an incredibly thought-provoking ending and a well-executed moral this is hands down one of the best comedy-dramas I have ever seen! 50/50 is beautiful from top to bottom! A film with a tearful and comedic script and characters that are as loveable as how you would want them to be! With dramatic performances and well-executed direction and writing, this film is a truly masterful giving us a brilliant message telling us that we should always look on the bright side of life even in life-threatening conditions. 5/5.