As far as the public are concerned, comedian Seth Rogen is a lewd, rude teddy-bear. What's mentioned less often is that he's Jewish, a self-proclaimed member of the "Jew Tang Clan", which also includes his mentor, Judd Apatow, and his best friend, Will Reiser, on whose experiences with spinal cancer this film is based. Religion is a touchy subject and 50/50 avoids it completely. A scene involving a trip to a rabbi was cut, says Rogen, because "it felt like a scene from a Woody Allen movie". And yet Allen's influence can be felt in every frame.
Adam (Joseph Gordon Levitt) is an anal, mother-smothered twentysomething with a lusty best buddy (Rogen), an uptight girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard) and a modest job in Seattle. Then an MRI scan throws his world upside down. At first, Katherine (Anna Kendrick), the young therapist he's sent to, only adds to his troubles. She's sloppy and - worse - touchy-feely. Then one day, while sitting at a bus-stop, Adam allows her to lend a hand.
The leads are top-notch (Angelica Huston gives an especially fresh turn as Adam's mum), the indie pop soundtrack is excellent, and the writing, at its best, is sprightly and moving. Adam gets stoned. He does a wee. Once you've seen the film, you'll see both experiences in a new light.
50/50 has been described as a pioneer of the "cancer comedy" movie. Untrue (see Dangerous Parking). It's just the first to be funny, a rom-com with brains that - at key moments - feels as sly and sweet as Annie Hall.
50/50
Cert: 15
