On the things I never thought I'd hear myself say list, I loved this 'Cancer Comedy'! I know, a rather odd catch line for the flick but honestly there's no better way to word it. When the PDC's writing force aka Travis, told me how great this movie was and used that catch line to sum it up, I though it possible he had finally spent too much time around the fake butter fumes of the movie theater. What I didn't take into account, however, was that it was Seth Rogen and company behind this one. Let's be honest that guy doesn't have a malicious bone in his body and you have to respect the blunt yet truthful way they deliver their humor. That in mind you begin to feel a bit more at ease with the subject matter, knowing that it's not going to be just a series of odd, exploitative bad jokes about baldness. Rest assured people, when they make jokes about cancer related baldness they make DAMN sure to mingle in the topic of "Male Grooming", now THAT'S responsible film making!
Click 'Read More' for the whole shebang...go ahead...you know you wanna!
In all seriousness the movie is great, and even includes a really important message of which we all need to take note. When someone is sick in this way it's human nature to act concerned, funny thing is the last person that someone fighting a life threatening disease wants is to be ostracized by everyone they know because of that fight. Treat 'em normal folks! Keep your concern at the ready but remember...they live with the affliction, think of how much it would suck for everyone you know to constantly be reminding you about this terrible thing, and through that realize nothing will be the same again. Normalcy is key in most cases!Now, ON TO THE CHLOROPHYLL!.
Just a few weeks ago we got the chance to speak with writer Will Reiser, on whom the film is loosely based, and star Seth Rogen (Superbad, Knocked Up). The guys were awesome, genuinely excited and proud of the project. I, along with the "impossible not to love" Nell Minow and a few other talented area critics, wax poetic for about 20 minutes with the guys on a wide range of topics. Here's a few highlights to look for:
- We ask Will just how biographical is the story that made it on film
- What pushed them to retell the very real fight with cancer.
- What makes me (John) a little teary eyed? How they handled the sadder parts of the story.
- Rogen regales us with "The Legend of Franco's Wig"
- ADDED BONUS: Pay attention around the 9m17sec mark when Seth drops some tidbits on the upcoming film Jay and Seth Vs the Apocalypse
So, seriously, peep the video below and let us know what you think. More importantly go see this movie, if for no other reason than to see rising star Joseph Gordon-Levitt try to pick up ladies at a bar by dropping the cancer bomb...hell of an icebreaker!
50/50
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard and
Anjelca Huston
Written by Will Reiser
Directed by Jonathan Levine
Produced by Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen and Ben Karlin
Running Time: 100 minutes
Rated R
In Theaters September 30, 2011
