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

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?

Quick Ponder: Talk

They're gonna talk.  What if you just. let. them. talk.  

Working in Higher Ed, Lately

"Working in higher education must be interesting these days, huh?" That question was posed to me by several people who recently learned that I worked in higher education. The recent discourse around the industry and field has certainly shifted in narrative and the overall feel within it. I recently wrapped up my fourteenth (!!) academic year. It's remarkable to think that I've been serving students and following a passion for this long. This is especially the case considering the rising turnover, the documented yearly burnout, and the increasing exodus from the field.  And, yup, there is that whole enrollment cliff combined with the politics that are more present than ever on college campuses.  So yeah, higher education is weird right now. Very weird.  Some quick thoughts : IS IT TIME?  Yes, I have thought about leaving the field several times. Especially, over the last few years. COVID didn't really bother me, but it's safe to say that the world of higher edu...