50/50: Review By Paolo Sardinas

So far, 2011 has been has been filled with potty humor, terrible animation, and the usual over-the-top Michael Bay film. Do not forget the barrage of superhero films we so generously received earlier this year. With the exception of about four films, 2011 has proven to be pretty uneventful as far as cinema goes. But when all hope was lost, we were graced with the presence of Danish filmmaker Nicholas Winding Refn's Drive. Continuing the streak of high-quality drama is Jonathan Levine's cancer-dramedy 50/50.

The film revolves around Adam, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is a carefree, likeable character with a best friend named Kyle, played by Seth Rogen. Their sunny dispositions are suddenly interrupted by Adam's recent diagnosis- a rare form of spinal cancer which gives him a 50/50 chance of surviving. The remainder of the film displays Adam's coping with his disease as Kyle's light-hearted comic relief adds assurance that things will be okay.

What makes this film interesting is that it gives the viewer insight into how somebody facing a disease copes with their ailment. The grief that ensures the dramatic quality to the film, is tied with two characters try to keep the situation optimistic. With Rogen's playboy persona and quirky personality, he adds a nice balance to Gordon-Levitt whose performances and emotions are communicated, mainly, through his facial and physical expressions.

The most difficult aspect to come to terms with when watching the film is just how funny it actually is. The film manages to balance gut-splitting hilarity and heart-wrenching drama; though most of the credit is due to Will Reiser's Oscar-worthy script and Jonathan Levine's equally phenomenal directing.

Finding negative things to say about 50/50 is a challenge in itself; the film is so wonderfully edited, written, and the material performed flawlessly that it makes you wonder why other films of the same genre do not do the same. 50/50 is a rarity especially in a year filled with so much low-brow humor and action-junkie filth. Like its main character, the movie had a fifty percent chance of actually succeeding, fortunately, it does.