50/50

Written by Will Reiser based on his own story, it has a ring of authenticity, especially in the way that the fear is buried under layers of irony, youth's natural defence against unpleasant reality.

Fortunately for all involved, that journey is being taken on screen by the always impressive Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who easily makes 50/50 a sure bet.

With a flawless cast, perfect script and impeccable direction, the movie is an answer to the question, “How do you make a real film about a lead character with cancer?” The result is one of the best movies of the year.

Yet 50/50 nimbly draws humor out of a young man's illness, walks a tightrope of tragicomedy and touches on all the right points.

50/50 is not infected with the usual TV tear-jerking and bogus uplift. It's actually hilarious, heartfelt and acted with such no-bull audacity that you'll hate yourself for just thinking you'd hate it.

50/50, a feel-good and slightly bad comedy-drama about a young man's fight against cancer, aims to put a tear in your eye and a sob in your throat, if not for long.

Le scénariste Will Reiser (lui-même survivant du cancer) et le réalisateur Jonathan Levine ont su éviter à la fois les trappes de la farce épaisse et les filets de la niaiserie lénifiante, ce film tout-public respecte donc son mandat sans dérapage. En somme, une bonne comédie américaine populaire avec, comme on dit, un bon fond.

La réalisation simple et éloquente met en valeur l'excellent Joseph Gordon-Levitt, qui nous fait comprendre et vivre chacun des stades du combat de son personnage contre la maladie. Le reste de la distribution est tout aussi solide, et chacune des apparitions de Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick et Anjelica Huston avive l'instant et complexifie les enjeux.