50/50 Keeps It Real on Cancer
It is said that art imitates life, and when it comes to such important issues as dealing with cancer, it can be rather annoying to watch a movie that either whitewashes or exaggerates real-life situations. This, however, is not the case with 50/50, a movie that gives viewers a glimpse into the world of a young adult dealing with cancer.
A review on 50/50 shares that the movie “tells it like it is,” an observation that comes from no less than someone who certainly knows the ups and downs of dealing with cancer, as author Amy Chmielewski is a cancer survivor herself.
50/50 was inspired by a true story – that of screenwriter Will Reiser. It follows the experience of a young adult dealing with cancer, and how it affects the people around him, from diagnosis through treatment. While cancer is certainly no laughing matter, the movie is not all tears and sadness and drama; there are light moments in the movie as well that serve as a reminder that, hey, it’s not all that bad and life does go on.
The movie stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Adam Lerner, a young man who tries to live his “old” life as best as he could, but realizing that things will never exactly be the same, after having been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. The film also stars Seth Rogen as Adam’s best friend Kyle; Anna Kendrick as Dr. Katie McKay, Adam’s psychologist; and Angelica Huston as Diane, Adam’s mother, among others.
The movie was released September 30th, and thus far has earned an average rating of 4 ½ stars from Rotten Tomatoes.
