50/50 (2011)

Inspired by a true story, a comedy centered on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.

Director:

Jonathan Levine

Writer:

Will Reiser

Stars:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 12 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt	...	Adam
Seth Rogen	...	Kyle
Anna Kendrick	...	Katherine
Bryce Dallas Howard	...	Rachael
Anjelica Huston	...	Diane
Serge Houde	...	Richard - Alzheimer Dad
Andrew Airlie	...	Dr. Ross
Matt Frewer	...	Mitch
Philip Baker Hall	...	Alan
Donna Yamamoto	...	Dr. Walderson
Sugar Lyn Beard	...	Susan
Yee Jee Tso	...	Dr. Lee
Sarah Smyth	...	Jenny
Peter Kelamis	...	Phil
Jessica Parker Kennedy	...	Jackie

Storyline

Adam is a 27 year old writer of radio programs and is diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer. With the help of his best friend, his mother, and a young therapist at the cancer center, Adam learns what and who the most important things in his life are.

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Plot Keywords:

cancer | best friend | therapist | chemotherapy | survival rate | 

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Taglines:

It takes a pair to beat the odds

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, sexual content and some drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is based on screenwriter Will Reiser, who was diagnosed with cancer, and later recovered. Seth Rogen (Kyle) helped Reiser cope with his disease, and convinced him to write a screenplay during their early twenties together.

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Goofs

During Adam's surgery they show the surgeon using laparoscopic surgical tools and the surgeon is watching images of the surgery being performed magnified on a screen, also used during a laparoscopic surgery, yet Adam's long scar down his back clearly shows his surgery was an open procedure.

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Quotes

Rachael: [Rachael has got Adam a dog, but he does not want it] "Ok, forget it i can just bring him back to the shelter in the morning."
Adam: Well then what happens to him.
Rachael: He'll be put back in his tiny cage with ten other dogs who will bully and rape him until he's eventually euthanized.
[the dog looks up appealingly]

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Connections

References Dexter (2006)

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Soundtracks

To Love Somebody
Written by Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb
Performed by The Bee Gees
Courtesy of Reprise Records
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

this movie gets it

As someone who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago (non-small cell lung cancer--and a nonsmoker to boot!) I've been through the gantlet, from 4 different kinds of chemo, several surgeries, and a wide variety of medical care from indifferent to deeply caring. So, trust me when I tell you, that this movie gets it.

It gets what it is like to receive a horrific diagnosis out of the blue, the numbness and shock of dealing with it, the well meaning friends and acquaintances who say the stupidest things ("every time I feel sorry for myself, I just think of you..."), and those friends who really become your rock as you go through the miasma of treatment and try to still make your life have meaning. Again, this movie gets it.

Joseph Gordon Levitt and Seth Rogen deserve high praise for the honesty that they bring to their performances. There was not a false note anywhere. The rest of the cast is terrific as well. I plan to see it again when it is released in a month.

This is a quiet film but it packs a great deal of power. I thought the humor was wonderfully placed, because without humor, life with cancer is unbearable. As too many folks know so well. Go see it and be entertained and learn a bit and rejoice in life even with cancer.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Cancer Comedy

Filming Locations:

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,644,095, 2 October 2011

Gross USA:

$35,014,192

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$41,097,853

Company Credits

Production Co:

Summit Entertainment, Mandate Pictures, Point Grey Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1