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SOUND OFF

Sound Off: Jonathan Levine & Will Reiser's '50/50' - Your Thoughts?

by Alex Billington
October 2, 2011

Now that you've seen it, what did you think? In theaters everywhere this weekend is 50/50, a comedy directed by Jonathan Levine (our interview), written by and based on the personal experiences of Will Reiser, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Adam, a young man who gets cancer. Seth Rogen plays his friend, Anna Kendrick his therapist, and Anjelica Huston his mom. So how is this "cancer comedy", is it as great as everyone is saying, one of the best comedies of the year? Does Gordon-Levitt deserve awards acclaim? If you've seen the movie, leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts on Will Reiser's 50/50!

To fuel the fire, I enjoyed 50/50 quite a bit and thought it was much funnier than I was expecting, in terms of being a comedy, but it didn't personally knock me out as one of my favorites this year. I really need to see it again (the first time I saw it was quite a while ago at this point) as everyone else seems to be loving it completely, but I guess I was expecting somewhat more of a Jonathan Levine style like in The Wackness, but got something a bit different. That said, the film is still great, it is very funny, it's much more about Joseph Gordon-Levitt giving a great performance than it is Seth Rogen taking over, and it has a heart and a good story at the center, which is the most important. Easily one of the most memorable/lovable films of the year.

What did you think of 50/50? One of the best comedies of the year or just sad and forgettable? We will remove any comments that indicate you have not seen the movie, as this area is meant to discuss the film only once you have seen it and can talk about your thoughts. Please keep the comments civilized!

Filed under Discuss, Opinions, Sound Off

From around the web:

Bruce Lee

It was great, perfect blend of emotions and comedy
Swiftdevil26

I just saw it today and it was absolutely amazing. I haven't laughed, cried or have said awwwwwwwwww during a movie in so long. Absolutely memorable!!!!!!!! I will buy it on DVD and watch it over again. Joseph Gordon-Levitt deserves every single award, just as this movie does too. Wow, just wow.
- Anonymous
  
  Agree 100%. My tears, all over the place. Such an uplifting and lighthearted way to deal with a heavy subject like cancer. Beautifully done; the perfect balance between seriousness, humor and sadness. It cracks jokes but never ridicules the disease. I will watch this movie repeatedly once its released on DVD and Blu-Ray.
Jeumd

Great movie, just as @26a042a043cfd66bdb1133e845208af1:disqus said, its been a long time since i've felt so many emotions in one movie. It was fantastic.
elpimpe

I absolutely loved it, going through this a little while back with, my mom except she didn't make it. Perfect blend of emotion and comedy and great cast. Five stars from me and def. Some awards to be won here!
DAVIDPD

I really dug it. I always like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and he definitely brought his A-Game to this film. Even Seth Rogen, who I was not expecting to like very much, pulled off a very strong performance and seemed like an excellent friend. I am not much a movie crier, and this movie still did not evoke any welling or swallowing knots, but it did make me feel very happy/sad, at least more than any other movie that has come out this year. An easy 5/5 from me.
Fondelboywonder

I was completely blown away. This was my favorite movie I have ever seen. When he had shaven his head I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. It also looked like a perfect way to meet women. This was also the shortest movie ever, as it only lasted around 30 seconds and then the ufc fights I was watching came back on after I also learned there will be a movie about very short goth dressed ninjas fighting Hulk Hogan who has not been in a good movie since Rocky 3. Definitely watch this movie!
- Wily
  
  It's hard to say that this was a comedy, though I did laugh (while few others in a mostly empty theater did as well). But it was a great examination of the depth and shallowness of human response to human frailty. Who hasn't wished, on reflection, that they had the right words to say at difficult times? And who hasn't given more than a tinker's damn, but pretended to care?
movieman

I know the guy from 30 rock from the sun and the secondly from the film hesher, he was a little boy but now look at him. ı really like hi performance, he is a good actor...I have seen the trailer of the film mentioned above, ıt was ok, definitely worth watching.
Chellieh21

One of the best movies I've seen in a long time. It's very honest. Which was so refreshing! The language was a little too much for me, but other than that it was pretty great! Somebody better be getting an oscar for it!
Anonymous

This movie made me laugh my ass off and then shed a few tears. I haven't teared up from a movie in a long long time. This movie took me on an amazing emotional roller coaster unlike any movie I have ever seen in recent memory.
Teacherkid

One of the best performances from Joseph Gordon-Levitt I've seen in a long time, he was great. Definitely had the tears rolling - the scenes with he and Anjelica Houston were beautiful. It's also making me fall in love with Anna Kendrick even more!
Scouter119

One big sketch comedy skit after another. It tried and failed. No awards for this film. Seth always the same note over and over.
- Chazzy
  
  Hey thanks for the awesome review!
horgin

I thought it was a wonderful mix of comedy and drama. The acting was superb (especially from Levitt). It went above and beyond what I was expecting (after Funny People) from it. The comedy was genuine and had me laughing out loud again and again. While the drama was touching and deeply emotional (definitely pulls on your heartstings). As others have said, this movie takes you on an effective roller coaster. You feel every high and low that Levitt's character (Adam) goes through. One other thing. I wasn't expecting it (as you wouldn't with most Hollywood films), this movie touched on a couple of philosophical notes. These were done brilliantly and, as touching on philosophy should, they got you thinking about your own mortality.
Daniel Duarte

8/10
Markysri

I heard it wasn't a big-budget movie, maybe $8 mil. Saw it this morning, it was really entertaining! I like movies like this; no special effects, no actors or actresses asking for a big pay day. Just a script that moves you. People that made the film were drawn to it some how and movie goers will be drawn to it as well. 50/50 has that gem appeal; once you finally get around to seeing it, you'll be glad that you did!
Anonymous

I've been battling cancer for two years and there were parts of the movie that were just spot on for me. I went with my best friend who's been taking me to most of my chemo appointments and I was laughing while she was crying. We both thought it was a great, understated but very true to life movie.
http://www.bennesvig.com Ben Nesvig

Loved it. Now...Must. Find. Soundtrack. Does anyone know any of the songs played in the movie?
Brandt

I am fed up with the gorgeous and talented Bryce Dallas Howard always playing villains now and being typecast after her roles in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Help and 50/50.
Adam L

They blended the drama and comedy so effortlessly, its truly hard not to like this enjoyable film
Anonymous

This hasn't come out yet where i live, which is pretty much the situation with all the sound-offs.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7L74MLUKYF52L7YQI3FOWRBNNQ MarcA

This film connected with me right from the beginning when he was jogging. I enjoyed every scene in the movie. There was a lot of chemistry between the actors and the ending left me feeling satisfied.
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