Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: 50/50 (2011)

What is it about?

The life changing process, struggles, and humor a young man goes through in his battle with a cancer diagnosis.

Who is in it?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt - Adam

Seth Rogan - Kyle

Anna Kendrick - Katherine

Favorite Scene:

After asking to drive Kyle's car before his final, life-deciding surgery, Kyle drives recklessly before kicking his best friend out of the car and letting out plenty of pent up rage. Kyle then calls his therapist, and lets her know how truly he feels about her.

Favorite Quote:

Adam: That's what everybody's been saying: You'll feel better and don't worry and this is all fine and it's not.
Katherine: You can't change your situation. The only thing that you can change is how you choose to deal with it. 

Review: 

50/50 is a very good film that offers a range of emotion. The film, loosely based on a true story, does a great job of taking the issue of cancer and presenting it in a real, challenging, honest, and very rarely seen, a humorous way. From the way the main character, Adam, is diagnosed, to his personal struggles of attempting to hold it together, 50/50 gives a different outlook on the journey of fighting the deadly disease. 

It is rare to see Joseph Gordon-Levitt not deliver an awesome performance in a main role, and his portrayal as Adam is more of the same. Seth Rogan, of course, as only he can, delivered some comedy as the wacky best friend. And similar to Gordon Levitt, Anna Kendrick is always solid in her supporting roles. 

50/50 is a great, honest, entertaining movie. A solid film that gives a different perspective on the true emotions, including the hidden ones, in dealing with a diagnosed loved one. 

Grade: 3.25/5

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/8/26

T he Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. More of El Sayed As the midterms approached, I found myself learning more and more about Dr. Abdul El Sayed. As an outsider, it very much felt like the Republicans feared his presence in these races (the way they did James Talarico - and we now know why). Yet, for me, it has since been after winning that I find myself somewhat fascinated by the prospect of El Sayed in government.  Of course, there was this video that made you go, hmm?  However, it was his recent response on a panel after being elected that has drawn me in on wanting to see more of what he does in Michigan.  I believe in a world where a Palestinian child and a Jewish Israeli child growing up in the Holy Land can look forward at their life and believe it is not going to be curtailed by somebody's violence. https://t.co/B0FDs...

Pondering Picture #72

Parked greatness.