Movies I Actually Like- "50/50" (2011)
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
"50/50" is not the most well-directed movie I've ever seen. It doesn't have the slickest cinematography. I love the performances, but it doesn't have the best acting I've ever seen, and yet whenever someone reaches out to me asking for a movie recommendation, "50/50" is one of the first that comes to mind. It is one of those films that is perfect, even with its imperfections. It was a film I first watched on my iPod touch back in my sophomore year of high school, and it's stuck with me in the years since.
Despite starring multiple big names, "50/50" was not a massive box office success. It's one of those movies that was doomed to fail in many ways because of its premise. Selling a comedy in which the main character has cancer is an uphill climb. I remember Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen even acknowledging that while they were promoting this film. But "50/50" is a prime example of how anything can be done well with good writing. In the hands of lesser talent, this film could've been a disaster, but in the hands of great writers, "50/50" became one of the most sincere and best films of the 2010s.
This movie is so funny, man. I'll be honest: most comedies, even some that are lauded as classics, don't make me laugh like this movie does. These characters are so rich, and their chemistry is so good, mainly between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen. This is my favorite Seth Rogen performance. In this movie, he is the funny, supportive friend every dude wishes to have. He's responsible for most of the hard laughs in this movie, but those funny moments never get in the way of what is admittedly heavy source material.
There's an authenticity to this screenplay. It deals with complicated subject matter but always feels consistent with its tone. The funny moments are funny, and the dramatic moments are necessarily heavy. Cancer is ugly; people deal with it differently, and this movie doesn't shy away from that. This film was released in 2011 when Joseph Gordon-Levitt was in the middle of one of the greatest heaters we've ever seen by an actor. And this is his best performance. If you want any further indication that the Oscars are garbage, this performance didn't even garner a nomination. That is insanity. It's one of the best lead performances I've ever seen. He's an extremely likable protagonist, but you understand his frustration. He's in a situation where everyone is reacting to his diagnosis differently, and he feels he has little control over his own narrative. He shows much restraint before he can't take it anymore.
In my blog about "The Dark Knight" yesterday, I wrote about how film is an emotionally based art form. I will overlook minor flaws if the filmmakers set up a story where I care about the characters. This is what makes "50/50" the best kind of film. It's filled with great jokes and funny moments, but this movie has a massive heart at its core. The last 30 minutes are a giant cry fest without ever feeling manipulative. It was one of those few movies that the guys in my high weren't afraid to admit that they cried during.
The older I get, the more I appreciate how quaint a film like this is. A $200 million movie can be as emotionally impactful as a $20 million movie, but you must get the character stuff right. In the modern age, filmmakers believe you can replace good character work and emotional moments with loud noises and big action sequences. That isn't the case. AI may replace us one day, but for now, movies are still made for and about humans, and few movies in my lifetime are as humans as "50-50." I can't recommend it enough.