Jamila’s Joints

Our good friend, Jamila Farwell, is a Los Angeles native about town, and is offering up her very unique perspective on different things each week. Read further to see what Jamila thinks about her choice to rent the film 50/50 this week.

So you want to see a comedy about cancer? It seems like an impossible feat but Will Reiser handles the subject matter with care and dexterity. The script, based on his own bout with the big C, is both funny and heartfelt. We journey with Adam, played by Joseph Gordon Levitt (Inception) as he is first diagnosed and then seeks treatment for a rare form of cancer.

Levitt delivers an admirable performance as a young man facing the possibility that he could die from this potentially fatal disease, his chance of survival is literally 50/50. Adam’s best friend, Kyle, played by Seth Rogen provides most of the comic relief in the film and delivers it well. He is fumbling, oafish and inconsiderate so much so that we wonder how much he really cares that his best friend could die.

Adam’s girlfriend, Rachael, played by Bryce Dallas Howard (The Help) is a bit empty. She struggles to provide the emotional support that Adam needs but proves ill-equipped for the role of caretaker.

Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air) plays Adam’s therapist and while her character is sweet and likable she takes some missteps are less than believable. Anjelica Huston (The Royal Tenenbaums) plays the worried and annoying mother. Considering what a talent she is it’s a shame that Resier doesn’t give her more to work with.

Overall, 50/50 is certainly worth a DVD rental. It will make you laugh and cry (not TOO much) all while attempting to tackle some of life’s bigger questions about mortality, friendship and love.

Director:    Jonathan Levine
Writer:    Will Reiser