50/50

[Jayman]

Perhaps the loss of weight in chemo treatment wasnt so accurately portrayed, but hey, Levitt isnt trying to do a De Niro.

Or a Christian Bale for that matter. Co-incidentally, both of them are in Nolan's upcoming "Dark Knight Rises".

[Flanderoo]

Here goes for my first review (Hope I get it in the right place etc)

Anyway watched 50/50 last night at Bristol Cabot Circus (that was another first for me - loved the cinema too)

Really enjoyed the film, liked the characters and the way they took an extremely difficult subject but didn't make it too sad or too funny, I think it made for an enjoyable film with just the right amount of tugging on the heart strings.

My only criticism is the amount of drug smoking. I can understand people do take drugs and gain relief when in those circumstances but I do not think it was necessary to show so much of it or think that it added anything to some of the scenes. It also appeared to me to be assumed acceptable (which drug taking is not). Sorry if I sound a bit prudish but I have 3 kids (15-20) and we have been through the drugs experience with them - not nice and not acceptable - and being shown with the excuse of being ill, so its ok slant didn't sit well with me. Having said that I did enjoy the part of the weed in the macaroons bit but if it was left at that stage it would have been great.

Well thats my first review over, hope helps and Oh yes, I would definitely recommend people to go and see it.
Score 8/10

[Beate]

Not every cancer patient necessarily loses weight like crazy. My Mum who had always been slim anyway, didn’t when she battled breast cancer (she’s fine now, thanks for asking), in fact, she didn’t even lose her hair. I also think insensitive doctors like the one who gave him the diagnosis are quite common. It must be very hard to break bad news to someone, and some people just don’t know how to do it and hide behind medical jargon. Anna Kendrick’s therapist was believable in her “I learned at college that this is what you should be feeling and this is what I should be doing” approach, which I am sure she will lose once she gains more experience. As for the drug-taking, they do give cancer patients marihuana for medicinal purposes against the pain, and I’d think it’s entirely appropriate to show that they are used. Let’s not forget that this is based on a true story. Interestingly enough, Seth Rogen’s a very good friend of the person whose life this film is based on, so he was basically reprising a real-life role!

And has anyone mentioned that gorgeous whippet with the mournful eyes? Awww.

[Jayman]

@Beate, sorry to hear your Mum had to also go through that ordeal.
Thrilled to hear she's well though! :)

[canadian_turtle]

Let’s not forget that this is based on a true story. Interestingly enough, Seth Rogen’s a very good friend of the person whose life this film is based on, so he was basically reprising a real-life role!

1) I did not know it was based on a true story
2) or that Seth Rogen is reprising a real-life role

Amazing!

I agree with your comments regarding the drug taking, it was believable and not in the least inappropriate or overdone I felt.

Glad to hear you're mum is well now.

[raj101]

Not every cancer patient necessarily loses weight like crazy.

yes I appreciate your point, Beate, though I did indicate earlier it was a possibility to include them in a cancer story, not a definite. It would have made for more of an interesting story to see more effects, but as you pointed out, its based on a true story, fleshing out some interesting extra bits wouldnt be true to the original story.


I understand your comparison to breast cancer too and thank heavens your mum is ok, but I have to say theres a wealth of difference between early stage breast cancer (which is in harmless tissue away from major organs and can simply be cut out) and a stage 3 shwanoma (which is on the spinal cord, thats is everything you need to live a normal life). Stage 3 basically means you are probably going to die, and next to spinal cells it means if we operate you are almost certain going to lose at least some leg or arm use, and you are going to have a shit life afterwards. Its a whole different level, although I am certainly not playing down the difficulties of breast cancer.

One example of a spinal tumour is the loss of specific areas of body's movement/feeling, like a loss of movement/feeling in fingers only, it would have been nice to see details like that but they were unecessary for the direction of the romcom.

I probably am being too overanalytical, being in the caring profession, I think I can see that. it was a film, raj101!

[raj101]

I also think insensitive doctors like the one who gave him the diagnosis are quite common..

yes they can be insensitive but usually arent unknowingly blind. I totally agee that they sometimes dont give a monkeys on purpose. Usually no doctor sits there rambling jargon thats all above your head for the whole session without realising he has lost you.

I think the caricature as there for the effect, rather than being an actual portrayal of event.

I kinda think he was definitely an insult to any palliative support team, who are all damn good at their job (its a job you tend to pick rather than fall into since it requires a certain maturity). What I gather was that he was on the fringe of the team, which may explain why he was speeling information, his only best way of dealing with a case that he didnt have the skills to deal with.

[ejwrank]

I also think insensitive doctors like the one who gave him the diagnosis are quite common.

Sorry but I can't agree with you on this, Beate. With quite a bit of personal experience and having received news at the age of 26 and again at 58 for what raj might consider to be not such serious cancers as Adam's (at any age but especially at the tender age of 26, there is no such thing as an unserious malignant cancer), I was treated superbly both times. Can't believe there is any doctor who would be that crass or insensitive when giving a diagnosis. Or maybe the NHS is just superior to the American health system in every way.

[Beate]

Let’s not forget that this is based on a true story. Interestingly enough, Seth Rogen’s a very good friend of the person whose life this film is based on, so he was basically reprising a real-life role!

1) I did not know it was based on a true story
2) or that Seth Rogen is reprising a real-life role

There are some interesting articles/interviews here:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011 ... -survivors

http://www.avclub.com/articles/will-rei ... gen,62519/

http://www.mercurynews.com/movies-dvd/ci_18997210



http://www.starpulse.com/news/Evan_Crea ... r_talk_505

[raj101]

there is no such thing as an unserious malignant cancer.

ohh thats below the belt. I'd never say any cancer wasnt serious.

I was distinguishing between losing a breast and losing your legs. goodness sounds like a Saw movie.


but you've had cancer twice, ej? omg, thats a movie in itself, good thing you beat it twice!