Directed by: Jonathan LevineStarring: Gordon-Levitt, Rogen, Kendrick, HustonRated R105 minutes
Lead actor Gordon-Levitt and his supporting cast are terrific in this emotional rollercoaster of a film. Especially towards the end, Gordon-Levitt's raw and poignant scenes make you understand the pain of going through cancer at such a young age. Huston, who plays the worried mom, is as outstanding as always. Special props are due to the witty screenplay, which borrows quite a bit from real life events. Rohail Premjee "50/50" is ambitious in tackling a topic as serious as cancer with humor. It succeeds in providing both laughs and tears, but not enough of either to make up for the lack of emotional depth Gordon-Levitt brings to his spinal-cancer-ridden character, Adam. Rogen is decent in his normal scruffy-buddy role, but it is Kendrick who shines here, as her awkwardness and crisp comedic timing brightens the mood. As Adam's mother, Huston also gives a rewarding performance, but cannot wipe away the glazed-over feel you'll leave the theater with. Kate Sullivan
What happens when tragic events befall good people? To flesh out an answer, Levine weaves a delicate path between two very distinct layers of storytelling the comedic and the tragic. At times almost crude and at times eloquently heartfelt, "50/50" is a well-acted, well-written film that manages to successfully avoid kitsch. If things fit together a little too perfectly, a little too unbelievably, it's simply because "50/50" is designed to make you laugh, make you cry and inevitably make you feel better about life. Katie Tai
