50/50: Blu Ray Review

50/50: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment

Based on the life of Will Reiser, this dramedy stars a rather good Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Adam, a regular everyday joe.

Working as a radio journalist and living with his girlfriend Rachel (Bryce Dallas Howard), Adam's life is going ok - apart from a nagging back pain. When he gets that checked out, his doctors tell him it's actually a cancerous tumour growing on his spine.

And with that, his life is turned upside down; his family's worried sick - his mum's already caring for his father, who's suffering from dementia and his best friend Kyle (a somewhat downbeat but still funny Seth Rogen) is urging him to use his cancer to try and make the most of his life - ie get laid.

Adam's world hits rock bottom when he discovers Rachel's cheating on him - and with the doctors telling him his chances are 50/50, it doesn't look too good for this average guy....

50/50 is a dignified sort of illness film which greatly benefits from Gordon-Levitt's stoic central performance. His Adam deals with every knock which comes his way in a very real manner; there's plenty of realism peppered through this film and most of it falls squarely on his shoulders.

Mind you, the directors do well to steer it away from the mawkish disease of the week kind of telemovie material - and while no-one's pretending this film is an easy watch, everything which occurs feels natural, well acted and as a result, quite moving. There are no moments too when Adam's character falls into a pit of wallowing despair - in fact, it works better because he doesn't - it's infinitely more moving.

Rogen gets the best friend down to a tee - the guy who's trying to do his best for his mate but who's worried his friend won't see it through is quietly moving and a little desperate as the film goes on; once again, with a muted performance, he shows he's really got the talent he needs rather than the usual schlubby friend roles he goes for. Anna Kendrick as Adam's therapist is well cast and provides a unflailing grip on what it takes to be part of this kind of situation.

But it's because this flick's based on a true life event that it feels so distinctly plausible and is so well acted, it's deeply affecting. It's a muted night in, granted, but it's one which needs to be seen because it impresses with its drama and because of the talent on display.

Extras: Deleted scenes, commentary, the story of 50./50 and a couple of other docos

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