Director: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have built a legacy as iconic as Anna Kendrick. Since her rise to stardom during the 1990s, Kendrick has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s singers, rebellious teenagers or corporate workers, the actress has played several strong characters. Arguably, Kendrick’s strength as an actress is her commitment. She is one of those actresses that has always poured her heart and soul into each and every role. Kendrick has nerve been afraid of taking risks in her career portraying complex women which aren’t always likeable. An actress with a powerful commitment to her craft, Kendrick has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Through her abilities to create strong women that audiences can easily relate to. Shining a bright light in darkness, Kendrick has become a celebrated icon in the modern entertainment Throughout her career, Kendrick has made several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Kendrick and admire all the movies she has made in her career. However, “50/50” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2011, Jonathan Levine’s movie captured life of a terminally ill man enduring tragedy. Packed with breathtaking production-design, powerful storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about terminal illness. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Anna Kendrick, who portrays a psychiatrist forming a romance with a terminally ill patient which faced tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “50/50” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about terminal illness, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a heartwarming message about illness which would definitely resonate with everyone. A heartwarming masterpiece about terminal illness, there are many strong reasons why “50/50” is a movie which is worth seeing.
Based on a true story, “50/50” tells the story of a terminally ill man that seeks to overcome an illness causing tragedy. Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrays Adam Lerner, an upbeat man with a sharp sense of humour. Adam has always had a strong relationship with his best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) whom he finds it easy to talk to. However, Adam’s life forever changed when he becomes diagnosed with severe Cancer. Stuck in a dilemma, Adam is forced to question if it’s possible for him to survive an illness causing trauma. To cope with an illness that’s tragic, Adam seeks assistance from his psychiatrist Katharine (Anna Kendrick). As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Adam questions if it’s possible to overcome cancer. Faced with a 50/50 chance of living, Adam wonders whether it’s possible for him to overcome an illness that is terrifying.
Jonathan Levine is a newcomer towards the themes of terminal illness. Before he directed “50/50”, Levine has never made a film about terminal illness before. Levine was well known for making movies in the rom-com genre. With “50/50”, however, Levine created his first ever film about terminal illness. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the barriers endured by people with terminal illness causing danger, but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Levine captures a terminally ill man embarking on a journey to overcome an illness chained tragedy. Levine effectively uses montages capturing a terminally ill man which cope with an illness that causes tragedy. For instance, montages elevate the cancer scene. During this devastating scene, Adam is given the heartbreaking news that he is diagnosed with cancer by his doctor. One acknowledges montages capturing the hardships terminally ill patients are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air” suggested, montages elevate commemorated dramas about the workplace. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Levine captures the tense hardship that terminally ill patients are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “50/50” which contributes to its success is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Inspired by Jonathan Demme’s “Philadelphia”, Levine effectively uses the set-design of hospitals to capture lives of terminally ill patients which endure a decline. For instance, the production design of hospitals elevate the Cancer meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Adam has a heartfelt meeting with aging patients which suffer from different types of Cancer. One appreciates set-design of hospitals which capture terminally ill patients. Hospitals are tricky settings to use in movies. As Josh Boone’s “The Fault in Our Stars” suggested, hospitals elevate movies about terminally ill teenagers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Michael Giacchino’s commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that people with terminal illness bear. Through strong production-design, Levine captures the lives of terminally ill patients that experience a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “50/50” is a captivating film about terminal illness thats compelling. The film is effectively written, and effectively uses tragicomedy to capture the tensions which terminally ill men are facing. The film deftly switches between sequences of tragedy and comedy. At times, the film is hilarious especially in scenes when Adam jokes around with Kyle about his sex life. However, at the same time, the movie is also serious especially in scenes where Adam has depression facing his terminal illness. Through a clever blend of tragedy and comedy, Levine creates a strong portrait of terminal illness that audiences can easily relate to. Tragicomedy is a tricky technique to use in movies. As David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook” claimed, tragicomedy elevates movies about Bipolar. Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty” suggested, tragicomedy elevates movies about broken American families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Levine captures terminally ill men that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Anna Kendrick delivers one of her finest career performances as Katharine. Kendrick achieved appreciation for playing pitch perfect teens in comedies. With “50/50”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a psychiatrist that assists a man with terminal illness, but Kendrick succeeded tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, grief and compassion of a woman seeking to assist a terminal ill man. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actresses working today.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is superb as a terminally ill patient that struggles to cope with Cancer causing regret. Gordon-Levitt first achieved appreciation for portraying teenagers in high school films. With “50/50”, however, the actor took on his most emotional role. As Adam, he uses compelling body language to capture a terminal illness. Whether he is grieving the sad news of his illness or seeking assistance from a psychiatrist that’s inspiring, Gordon-Levitt used his body language to create a terminally character that’s compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most underrated actors working that is currently working in the industry today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Seth Rogen. As a drug addict seeking to assist a friend with Cancer, he brings hilarious comic relief to the movie.
Finally, “50/50” would earn the appreciation of everyone capturing individuals with terminal illness facing tragedy. Unlike most films about Cancer, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. The film discusses strong themes of identity, grief and trauma that would resonate with everyone. It delivers a strong message on illness which will definitely strike a chord with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Cancer to admire it. Therefore, “50/50” is one of those rare commemorated films about illness everyone would adore.
Fans of Anna Kendrick will certainly appreciate “50/50” and so will movie-goers which seek heartfelt entertainment. A captivating classic about Cancer, it honours an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about men with frightening terminal illness seeking to battle Cancer with a 50/50 chance of living, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 