50/50
Rated
R. Our Ratings: V-4; L -1; S/N –1.
Running time: 1 hour 40 min.
 |
Adam tells Kyle his bad news. © 2011 Summit Entertainment |
A friend loves at all times,
and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.
… …
The human spirit will endure sickness;
but a broken spirit—who can bear?
Proverbs 17:9 & 18:13
Although director Jonathan Levine’s film is billed as a comedy
and co-stars Seth Rogan, do not be de
ceived by the label. There are laughs aplenty, but there will also be tears,
tears that this film comes
by honestly. The film’s title comes from the odds for survival of 27
year-old Adam Lerner, stricken with a rare form of spinal cancer. Amidst
co-star Rogan’s usual profanity and sexual comments, you will encounter
a tender, deeply moving drama of a young man struggling with and adjusting
to the severe treatment of the disease, with loving support from best friend
Kyle (Rogan) and numerous persons in and out of his family.
Screenwriter Will Reiser based his script on his own battle with cancer (and
the support he received from real life friends such as Seth Rogan), so the
story is authentic and free of the usual weepiness of such medical dramas.
Adam is wonderfully played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anjelica Houston
is his protective mother, also burdened with the care of her Alzheimer-afflicted
husband. Seth Rogan is his usual raunchy self, but in several tender moments
we see him as the kind of loyal friend whom we would want beside us if we
had to go through chemotherapy and related treatments. Although not a religious
man, Adam learns what, and who, is important in his life—and just how
precarious everything can be (note his last name). Hitherto his life as a
writer for an NPR radio program had been idyllic, and then comes the day
following his physical exam for the cause of his back ache when his doctor
gave him the lab results, coldly telling him that he had cancer and that
his chances are 50/50. The medic’s concern was that of a mechanic informing
a customer that he needs a new carburetor.
Not all persons can cope with the heavy demands of living closely with one
undergoing cancer treatment, and live-in girlfriend Rachel (Bryce Dallas
Howard) turns out to be one of these, despite her initial promise to stand
by Adam. Fortunately, there are plenty of others besides Kyle and Mother
who render support, including two fellow members of a cancer support group,
beautifully played by Philip Baker Hall and Matt Frewer. Most meaningful,
however, is Katherine (Anna Kendrick, who delighted us as George Clooney’s
naïve assistant in Up in the Air), his therapist. At first their relationship
as therapist-client is played for comedy. When he comments that she looks
too young to be a therapist, she admits to being an intern, a candidate for
her doctorate and that he is just the third patient she has dealt with. As
they continue to meet, she begins to lose her detachment because of the suffering
he is going through.
Adam, I observed earlier, learns what is important in life. This is often
the case of those thrust into painful situations beyond their control, and
who survive the ordeal. This is especially true for believers, who can testify
with the apostle Paul, “We know that all things work together for good
for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans
8:28) Adam may not be a believer (the film does not reveal much about his
religious beliefs), but his story can be seen as a parable with Paul’s
affirmation being its foundation. A group of young adults, most of whom will
not be put off by Kyle’s crude humor and sexual interest, could have
a good time exploring the grim topic of cancer and the importance of supportive
relationships.
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