50/50

Finally, a film about very serious matters, presented in an accurate, balanced optic oscillating exactly between serious drama and black-humored dirty comedy, beautifully showing that even a serious illness can be treated in a different way than with tears and a feeling of helplessness. There are no clichéd platitudes or pathetic emotions, this film is dominated by common sense and a lot of brilliantly staged passages of everyday life. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has great talent and a knack for choosing roles, and Seth Rogen does what he knows best, portraying a clumsy, good-hearted, vulgar schmuck. (31/08/2016)

When life writes powerful stories, they lend themselves to being watched. Seth Rogen did very well by persuading his friend to write the screenplay, and just as well when he took on his best role yet. Although we've seen him as a goofball before and since, he has found his ideal fit in this melancholic comedy where humanity shines alongside uncompromising lines. And because few people are better guides to realistic comedies than Joseph Gordon-Levitt, there is nothing left but to smile contentedly, wipe away a hidden tear, and say one thing: Life. Is. Good. (31/01/2012)

Breaking with tradition, I will begin my comment about a good film by not recommending it. I don’t recommend watching 50/50 on a train. I watched in on the train and I was quietly tearing up by the end, having a hard time not to start sobbing in front of the other passengers. That would have embarrassing :-D. But about the film – very good. Joseph Gordon-Levitt confirms his quality as an actor, but I feel a little sorry for Bryce Dallas Howard, who this year has played an insufferable asshole in already two Oscar hopefuls and I think I will have her forever typecast in that character. The film parades a lot of emotions, from sadness to happiness and joy, it feels natural and sincere, without any award baiting cynicism. If it cut at the strongest moment right before the ending, I would go for five stars. I won’t say the ending ruins the very positive impression, but it does reduce it. Unfortunately. Ambiguity would be fitting for a film called 50/50. (02/12/2011)

Some situations in life are simply not easy. You can run, not smoke, eat fairly healthy, but it still won't save you from cancer. This bitch just appears in anyone's life, she's not exactly picky. When Adam, a young man, finds out he has cancer, he is quite surprised. On the other hand, we must realize one crucial thing - the main characters in the movie are Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen, especially the latter is not someone who plays in fundamentally dramatic films. Is it possible to approach the diagnosis of cancer humorously, or at least with a smile? More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/02/5050-2011-70.html (13/02/2013)

The chemistry between Anna Kendrick and J.G. Levitt works great. Seth Rogen is appropriately awkwardly funny (more comic this time around), but his role is extremely rewarding to watch and perfectly demonstrates one of the possible ways Adam deals with everything (or, also, how Kyle (ab)uses it). It was nice, even endearing, how Katherine tried to apply her studied and textbook methods to every possible situation, because she was really incredibly cute when she was embarrassed (you almost felt more sympathy for her than for Adam). In short, I've listed probably the highlights that came out of the production of this film. Three hugely interesting characters, and in all cases superbly acted. And the trio of fantastic performances, topped off with some very darkly funny dialogue (the Patrick Swayze bit nearly killed me), a nice minimalist score, and some nice (perhaps naive to some) emotional moments, deserve some of the more distinguished ratings. (08/01/2012)