50/50 Review

25th Mar 2012

I am a big fan of what I suppose is the indie movies about the young(ish) loser, attractive but not too attractive, seems to be in a middling career, love life sucks, life is stalling before really taking off (Knocked Up, Garden State, 500 Days, even Scott Pilgram and then those early years versions like Juno and Nick and Norah). These films always have a fantastic soundtrack and contain that group of actors which in our post-post-post (where are we up to?) modern cynicism and distaste, but identification, of the Generation X age group that are the equivalent of the brat pack of the 80s. Seth Rogan and Joseph Gordon-Levitt of this film to name but two examples, with Anna Kendrick trailing up that path fast.

Despite looking forward to this film I did find myself in the opening 10 minutes inwardly sigh at the checklist of “indie loser” requirements. Cool music intro following our handsome but not intimidating lead, revealing those little titbits about his character (oh my a film about a guy who gets cancer shows the character as cautious!), the girlfriend who is blatantly a self-absorbed bitch, the obnoxious best friend and the job where you are kind of ignored (despite all that repressed talent). 15 minutes in I thought I am tired of this formula now, I finally have gotten bored, and maybe I no longer identify with these characters because I am sorted in life (ahem). I would like to mention I was also slightly miffed that the editor of this website spoiled the ending for me.

Role on another 15 minutes though and I am absorbed. Don’t be mistaken this film is a formula, done by the books. The only thing inspirational about this film could be considered the fact it tackles the subject of cancer. However technically a “taboo” or “sensitive” subject is something these types of films address. But we have the awkward reactions, the subdued muted colours or the shots. A blue sky? Not in this film! So nope nothing original or different about this film. What it does have are very fine performances. Anna Kendrick’s young and very nervous energy psychotherapist was uncomfortable but brilliant to watch. And who could ever say a bad word about Joseph, the man clearly is demonstrating his ability to cross genres of film and characters. If you’ve followed his career from Brick to 500 Days to Inception it’s really not a bad trajectory for an actor. Seth Rogan for me is becoming rather Jack Black comparable. Neither as loud nor requiring a smack in the face but still a bit of a marmite actor. Anjelica Houston. Sigh. Just perfection. Except the hair. It scared me.

A worthy film and definitely deserves the strong reviews it has received. If you like these types of films you will like this and most likely shed a tear or two, if you don’t then why are

you watching this type of film? The only really drawback for me about this is that there does not appear to be a soundtrack on release.