50/50 (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Mike S

  
  Dealing with cancer is something a lot of us has to go through in one way or another - either as a victim or as someone close to a person with the disease. In my family, we have thankfully been spared from any such tragedy, even if there's been a couple of close calls. In this… More
  Dealing with cancer is something a lot of us has to go through in one way or another - either as a victim or as someone close to a person with the disease. In my family, we have thankfully been spared from any such tragedy, even if there's been a couple of close calls. In this heart-rending portrait of a young man who gets diagnosed with terminal cancer, they take a lighthearted approach in managing the darkness that comes with the deteriorating health of our main character. Joseph Gordon-Lewitt is fantastic in the role, and brings so much sympathy and inspiration to his bona fide performance, that you really believe he's going through it for real. At his side is also his best friend Kyle, played superbly by Seth Rogen, who lightens up the gloomy mood with his wonderful, contagious wit. Obviously, the message they want to tell with this film, is that no matter how hard or painful things may get, you always have the choice between two opposing paths: succumbing to despair or making the best of what you still have. Naturally, this all goes without saying, but the beauty of this movie is that it teaches us simple ways of coping with some of life's heavier sides. A nicely balanced mix of drama and humor, with a bittersweet air of real, palpable emotions. To know that it's also based on a story from real-life, makes it all the more potent and powerful. No doubt one of the best films ever made on the subject, with tremendous performances by everyone involved. For more of my reviews, feel free to visit my movie page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikes-Movie-Reviews/281824101875153

• familiar s

  
  Except for a handful of scenes, I can't come to appreciate the efforts here. Be prepared to go back to the eighties. No, no, the movie's not set in the eighties, it's just the story. This sort of execution might have worked for me a decade back. The screenplay is… More
  Except for a handful of scenes, I can't come to appreciate the efforts here. Be prepared to go back to the eighties. No, no, the movie's not set in the eighties, it's just the story. This sort of execution might have worked for me a decade back. The screenplay is terribly run-of-the-mill. The humor doesn't work and the same goes for the emotional sequences. Wait, I've an exception there. Adam's break-down sequence in the car was par excellence. But no more than that. The characters fail to evoke any feeling towards them except for a dog!!! The actors did okay considering their ineffectively penned roles. I wasn't expecting such a disappointment, but I'm over it now.

• Albert K

  
  "50/50" has almost the perfect blend of comedy and drama in one. The most recent movie I could think of that has tried to do the same was "Funny People" but "50/50" is much more simple in its theme and portrayal. Now I enjoyed this movie, but I just… More
  "50/50" has almost the perfect blend of comedy and drama in one. The most recent movie I could think of that has tried to do the same was "Funny People" but "50/50" is much more simple in its theme and portrayal. Now I enjoyed this movie, but I just didn't find it particularly funny. Everyone's been giving Joseph Gordon-Levitt much praise for his recent outings ("500 Days of Summer", "Inception") and you can see how he is developing more and more as an actor; however, I'm one of the few that doesn't think he's particularly GREAT as many say he is. Don't get me wrong, there is a pivotal scene in "50/50" that Joseph Gordon-Levitt pulls off magnificently but overall, he's a bit dry in his performances. His chemistry with Seth Rogen's character doesn't carry a tangible quality and his relationship with the actresses isn't very believable. But because of Gordon-Levitt's experience, it isn't a movie-breaker -- it's just those with a keen eye for solid acting may be let down by his performance. But he isn't the real culprit for 50/50's lack of substance; its the screenplay. The dialogue is very minimal -- so minimal to the point where the audience can clearly see that certain plot elements aren't elaborated on because of the filmmaker's fear of an inadequate movie. This isn't to say that the movie sucks. When the audience sees the struggles Gordon-Levitt's character needs to face, they're invested and interested, but for most of the movie, they're not convinced of the characters' relationships. There isn't much to say about the movie but the fact that it executes the story and drama in an entertaining way but not the dialogue. The comedic value has much to be desired for but it isn't enough to avoid this movie.

• Matthew S

  
  Similar to how a roller coaster's initial high makes the fall more intense, the comedic approach here enhances the tragedy of cancer. It isn't trying to set us up; the comedy comes naturally to keep Adam out of despair. At the climax, when we are about to find out how it all… More
  Similar to how a roller coaster's initial high makes the fall more intense, the comedic approach here enhances the tragedy of cancer. It isn't trying to set us up; the comedy comes naturally to keep Adam out of despair. At the climax, when we are about to find out how it all ends, I was stricken with a grieving sob -- not for Adam, but for all of us who have been directly and indirectly touched by the terrible mess that is cancer. Then Dr. Arroway's line in the movie "Contact" came to me: "I was given ...a vision of the universe that tells us, undeniably, how tiny, and insignificant, and how rare, and precious we all are!"

• Tim S

  
  A surprising film that I really enjoyed. The performances are good all around, but I thought Seth Rogen stole the show as the supportive best friend. The chemistry between Gordon-Levitt and Rogen is great and the movie does a great job of walking a thin line between comedy and drama… More
  A surprising film that I really enjoyed. The performances are good all around, but I thought Seth Rogen stole the show as the supportive best friend. The chemistry between Gordon-Levitt and Rogen is great and the movie does a great job of walking a thin line between comedy and drama in what could have become a sappy run of the mill cancer drama, but excels as a humanistic look at dealing with disease.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston, Marie Avgeropoulos, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Serge Houde, Andrew Airlie, Matt Frewer, Philip Baker Hall Director: Jonathan Levine Summary: An otherwise healthy twentysomething has a… More
  Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston, Marie Avgeropoulos, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Serge Houde, Andrew Airlie, Matt Frewer, Philip Baker Hall Director: Jonathan Levine Summary: An otherwise healthy twentysomething has a comically early midlife crisis when he gets slapped with a cancer diagnosis -- and a 50-50 chance of survival. But what's the meaning of life when you're not sure how long yours will last? My Thoughts: "Cancer. I don't think there is a single person who hasn't been affected by this disease. I've unfortunately lost friends and family to the disease. So it always brings up those emotions when your watching a film that has anything to do with the illness. That was what this film was, emotional. The anger, the disbelief, the unknown, the pain, all of it has to be scary as hell. Not only for the person going through it, but for those around that person as well. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is amazing in this role. I have said many times that he is a favorite of mine and I see every movie he plays in. He is one of the best actor's out there. Seth Rogen is great in this as well. Although he does the comedic thing well, he can also do the serious roles well too. He brings comedic relief but you can see it's only to mask his worry and his fear of losing his best friend. The cast is brilliant and they all do a fantastic job. The movie is far from depressing considering the illness being the main subject. It's just a great story that many can relate to. A must see."

• Chris M

  
  50/50 is well written, funny and sad. The acting in this movie is excellent and the film is a great example of how to balance comedy and drama. An overall great film and definitely one of the best of 2011.

• Sanjay R

  
  This crew has the balls to make a comedy about cancer and the creativity to make it work. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a great sympathy-deserving victim, Rogen is great comic relief, and Kendrick and Howard do well. It is, however, poorly paced, but a funny/heartfelt story overcomes all… More
  This crew has the balls to make a comedy about cancer and the creativity to make it work. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a great sympathy-deserving victim, Rogen is great comic relief, and Kendrick and Howard do well. It is, however, poorly paced, but a funny/heartfelt story overcomes all to make this a very good movie.

• Idrees K

  
  There have been a lot of generic movies similar to this one. Guy gets cancer, rest of the movie is about them coping with it, etc, etc. I'll be honest, the plot on this one isn't phenomenal. It's actually pretty straightforward as things go, with some twists and… More
  There have been a lot of generic movies similar to this one. Guy gets cancer, rest of the movie is about them coping with it, etc, etc. I'll be honest, the plot on this one isn't phenomenal. It's actually pretty straightforward as things go, with some twists and turns. But 50/50's strength is not in the story, but it's delivery. An emotional trip is sort of the only way I can describe it. That and some great performances from Joseph Gordon-Levitt (as usual) and Seth Rogen (who I usually don't like. Anna Kendrick is also play a more like-able character than she did in Up in the Air.

• Jeff "

  
  50/50 is a near flawless dramedy with a great cast of talented actors. The film effectively combines good comedy with good drama to create one of the years best films. This film is really funny and is just as sad as it is funny. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is terrific in the role, and he… More
  50/50 is a near flawless dramedy with a great cast of talented actors. The film effectively combines good comedy with good drama to create one of the years best films. This film is really funny and is just as sad as it is funny. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is terrific in the role, and he displays great range as an actor. I thought that this film was simply wonderful. The film hit all the right notes, and it didn't manipulate your emotions like so many other dramedies that came before it. The emotions you feel watching the film are real, and that's what separates this film from others in the genre. The film doesn't overdo anything and what you feel for the main character is genuine sadness and hope. That's what I liked about the film, the determination of one person as his will to survive a horrible disease. This film really struck a chord with me personally because my grandmother died of cancer, and I felt exactly how some characters felt. This is is one of the best drama, comedies that I have seen in quite some time and I personally feel it's one of the year's best films. Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt deliver something great on-screen. This film was terrific, with a great story, a wonderful cast and splendid directing, 50/50 is definitely a must see film. For me especially, I felt it was a film that struck close to home too. Overall 50/50 doesn't manipulate your emotions, but at the same time you manage to feel sympathy with the lead character, and that's what makes this film truly special. Jonathan Levine has crafted a terrific film, A must see film.

• Reid V

  
  The movie doesn't really hit it's stride until about the hour mark. It starts off rather awkward and unsure of what exactly it is going for. However, if you can wait it out then you will be richly rewarded. The second half for the most part is marvelously done. It is funny… More
  The movie doesn't really hit it's stride until about the hour mark. It starts off rather awkward and unsure of what exactly it is going for. However, if you can wait it out then you will be richly rewarded. The second half for the most part is marvelously done. It is funny & poignant in all the right places. If they could have struck this tone for the first half as well, then this film would have easily earned my coveted 5-star rating.

• Dan S

  
  A phenomenal comedy-drama concerning a young man (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who finds out he has a rare form of back cancer, and how he still finds humor in the situation despite his overall tough experiences. Without a gifted, expert young actor like Gordon-Levitt at the helms, this film… More
  A phenomenal comedy-drama concerning a young man (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who finds out he has a rare form of back cancer, and how he still finds humor in the situation despite his overall tough experiences. Without a gifted, expert young actor like Gordon-Levitt at the helms, this film may have drifted into over-sentimentality and Lifetime movie stuff, instead it is one of the best films of 2011. Thanks also to solid supporting turns from Seth Rogen as his best friend, Anna Kendrick as his therapist, and most impressively Anjelica Huston as his mother, the acting, and story, rarely hit a wrong note. It achieves a delicate balance of humor and drama, with the latter having the ability to hit like an emotional freight train near the film's conclusion. Tack one more success on Gordon-Levitt's decorated resume, it's about time people are finally starting to discover this guy.

• Crash E

  
  emotional and humorous, it's beautiful and touching drama, really... nice movie

• Melvin W

  
  Adam: That's what everybody's been saying: You'll feel better and don't worry and this is all fine and it's not.  "It takes a pair to beat the odds" 50/50 is a wonderful film that evokes many emotions. It's funny, sad, tragic, and… More
  Adam: That's what everybody's been saying: You'll feel better and don't worry and this is all fine and it's not.  "It takes a pair to beat the odds" 50/50 is a wonderful film that evokes many emotions. It's funny, sad, tragic, and heartwarming. It's one of those movies that you don't possibly think could be touching. It has Seth Rogen, it cusses a lot, makes a lot of sex jokes, but throughout the film it never feels like any movie that does those things. It's truly one of the first times I've watched a comedy of this nature in a long time, where I felt the that it was truly different from the rest. It still makes the same kinds of jokes, but it is more about Adam than the jokes. This does an even better job than Funny People(which I liked) in evoking the emotions that go along with Adam's cancer. Maybe that's because Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character is slightly more likable than Sandler's. The story isn't very complicated. A 27 year old named Adam was having back pains. So he went to the hospital. He was diagnosed with a type of spinal cancer. The rest of the movie is him coping with that disease. He has his friend Kyle, his therapist Katherine, and his mother who try to help him along the best they can. Adam also becomes good friends with some older gentlemen who are going through the same thing as him.  The film at times feels like a straight drama or a tearjerker, but as soon as it starts getting incredibly depressing, Seth Rogen is brought into another scene. Jonathan Levine does a great job at injecting him into scenes at the perfect time. Right when the viewer needs comic relief, Rogen is there; and he does a terrific job. Just like in Funny People, he has a great balance of humor and genuinely caring about his friends situation. Gordon-Levitt is brilliant as always, and I know he's given a variety of great performances, but this one is somewhere near the top of the list.  Balance is the key with serious comedies like this. They have to be funny, but they have to also be realistic in the portrayal of the illness. Many times throughout the movie I was struck with just how well balanced the film was. If you added up all the times I laughed and all the times I felt sad for Adam, I'm guessing it would come out about the same. 50/50 is a film that is hard not to love. Gordon-Levitt and Rogen are acts are who hard not love. And Adam is hard not to love. Odds are you'll love it too.

• jay n

  
  Misleadingly called a cancer comedy it's more a drama with light overtones. Anchored by an impressive performance from Joseph Gordon Levitt he keeps the movie grounded whenever it threatens to run off the rails. Seth Rogan, Bryce Dallas Howard and Anna Kendrick are all fine but… More
  Misleadingly called a cancer comedy it's more a drama with light overtones. Anchored by an impressive performance from Joseph Gordon Levitt he keeps the movie grounded whenever it threatens to run off the rails. Seth Rogan, Bryce Dallas Howard and Anna Kendrick are all fine but the standout supporting performance is a great one by Angelica Huston who in a few short scenes creates a totally real and recognizable person as JGL's mother.

• Manu G

  
  It takes a pair to beat the odds Great Film! I thought this was an excellent film full of drama and comedy at the same time which made a very good combination. Acting was superb and i'm now even more a fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Go see it. Adam is a 27 year old writer of… More
  It takes a pair to beat the odds Great Film! I thought this was an excellent film full of drama and comedy at the same time which made a very good combination. Acting was superb and i'm now even more a fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Go see it. Adam is a 27 year old writer of radio programs and is diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer. With the help of his best friend, his mother, and a young therapist at the cancer center, Adam learns what and who the most important things in his life are.

• Kalel J

  
  Balance and reality; 50/50 is a film of raw emotion and real humour, a work that balances and blends the harsh truths of facing the end, with the brightness needed to push through it. In what is possibly the performance of an already brimming career, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's eyes… More
  Balance and reality; 50/50 is a film of raw emotion and real humour, a work that balances and blends the harsh truths of facing the end, with the brightness needed to push through it. In what is possibly the performance of an already brimming career, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's eyes are the star on show here - their gaze working from sullen, sunken pits of fading hope to glistening ellipses of trust and connection. His commitment to this performance is the driving force that works in unison with the childish likability of co-star Seth Rogen. But what sets 50/50 apart is its heart - which it holds intact, without falsity and with bravery. While the film is often predictable, its journey of showing that feeling alone never truly means loneliness is a wonderful experience to join.

• MisterYoda ?

  
  three stars

• Wildaly M

  
  I was impressed by this movie. Loved it.

• Jennifer X

  
  JGL is such an emoticon. The smiles and frowns are so easily read on his face you just want to hug him. The performances make this movie and together JGL, Anna Kendrick, and Seth Rogen are stellar. Probably one of my favorites of 2011.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings