50/50

Directed by Jonathan Levine, 50/50 follows affable editor Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as he learns that he has cancer and begins the slow process of battling the deadly disease – with the film focused primarily on Adam’s relationships with the various people in his life. Though it remains completely watchable from start to finish, 50/50 boasts a relatively disappointing opening half hour that oftentimes feels like a glorified sitcom. This is never more evident than in Adam’s dealings with his girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard’s Rachael), as the relationship simply isn’t convincing in the slightest and does feel as though it’d be more at home within a garden-variety romcom (ie could she possibly be any more wrong for him?) It’s Gordon-Levitt’s consistently captivating performance that initially compensates for the periodically hackneyed atmosphere, as the actor flawlessly and effortlessly steps into the shoes of the sympathetic protagonist with an ease that’s nothing short of hypnotic. (Seth Rogen, cast as Adam’s affable best buddy, is far more compelling and hilarious here than he’s been elsewhere in quite some time.) The inherently engaging premise does ensure that 50/50 grows more and more compelling as it progresses, with the increased inclusion of heartwrenching sequences playing an instrumental role in cementing the movie’s transformation from passable to engrossing. By the time the unexpectedly emotional third act rolls around, 50/50 has undoubtedly confirmed its place as an above average piece of work that brilliantly manages to blend big laughs with high drama.

***1/2 out of ****