50% comedy. 50% drama. 100% awesome.
Released: 2011
Genre(s): Comedy, Drama
Comedy-dramas are a hard sell: oftentimes, the comedy is soured by an overabundance of melodrama or fabricated cheese, or the humor overshadows whatever serious situation the story is attempting to convince us of, vastly deflating the gravity and atmosphere of what should be engaging and heartfelt. This is not the case for "50/50," a dramedy that's done so well it's just shy of perfection. The brilliant flow of this movie is never broken, dancing smoothly between genres, blending witty buddy comedy with naked moments of self-realization; the resulting emotional roller coaster has so many twists, loops, and drops that it's only natural to laugh, tear up, and cheer in equal measure. This genius combination is incredibly honest, and comes off as far more uplifting than emotionally exhausting. Minus Seth Rogen's pitch-perfect portrayal of an intentionally dopey (yet loyal) best friend, the cast is genuinely deep and realistic - realistic in their fragility and realistic in their varied reactions to the grimness of the world. Most impressive is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who adds both commendable resilience and believable vulnerability to his character. The praiseworthy acting here is what drives this film forward, and it consistently manages to raise us out of the heavier plot elements without resorting to Lifetime-style sappiness. I can't help but feel that this is the movie Judd Apatow wanted "Funny People" to be, and in all honesty, "50/50" leaves Apatow's mortality-tackling endeavor in the dust. This is one of those rare films that can be enjoyed in a group, since the samplings here are bound to appeal to almost everyone. "50/50" is unmistakably a must-watch.
Rating (out of 5): 4.5
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