OK for kids 17+
Cancer patient questions his life in mature dramedy.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this fact-based dramedy (co-star Seth Rogen's real-life friend, Will Reiser, wrote the movie based on his own experiences) tackles some pretty heavy themes -- particularly the idea of facing the specter of death before the age of 30 -- that could overwhelm young teens attracted by the film's stars: Rogen and (500) Days of Summer's Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Expect plenty of strong language (including "f--k," "s--t," and more) and some sexually charged talk and scenes (including partial female nudity), plus drug use (both medicinal and recreational).
- Families can talk about how the film deals with the subject matter of chronic illness -- in this case, cancer. Is Adam's reaction believable? Does it seem at all exaggerated?
- Did you notice any sexism or stereotypes in the movie? How do the women in this movie compare to those in other Seth Rogan movies? Is this movie more or less crude than Rogan's other films? Do you think that has something to do with the subject matter?
- The movie is based on the writer's own experiences. How true to life do you think it actually is? Why do writers/filmmakers sometimes change facts when they're making movies?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie's main message is that adversity need not break you; cliched as it may sound, it can make you confront yourself and those around you as you seek a more fulfilling (and healthier in more ways than one) life.
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Role models: Adam is resilient in the face of a shocking, scary diagnosis. Despite this, he's able to care for others (though he does have blind spots) and be generous with his time and friendship. And he finally learns to value himself and embrace life as he faces the possibility of death. His friends and counselor also learn from being around him. Women portrayed stereotypically.
What to watch for
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Violence: A guy curses out a woman and calls her derogatory names in front of someone else. Other examples of strong anger directed at a female character.
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Sex: A man and a woman are shown having sex (breasts are visible, but genitals are not). Frank discussions between two men about how to hit on women and get them to have sex with them. A woman is caught kissing a man who's not her boyfriend.
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Language: Frequent use of "f--k," "s--t," "d--k," "c--t," "c--k," "p---y," "a--hole," "ass," "motherf--ker," "oh my God," and more.
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Consumerism: Some name-dropping and labels on display, including iPod, The View, Jeep, Dwell magazine, Facebook, Toyota, Rite Aid, and more.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some social drinking. Medicinal and recreational drug use. Bongs are visible; weed-laced brownies are shared.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
50/50: A+ by MattH306
Great Movie. Resonates long after it ends.
5
Great movie by stephen0118
When I first saw the preview for 50/50, I thought it was going to be an excellent movie, with some humor mixed in. After the movie came out and I read the reviews, I was worried because I was expecting every other word to be a curse word and there will be a lot of sex scenes. I decided to go see it anyway.
I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, there were some curses uttered by the characters, especially from Seth Rogen?s character, Kyle, but it wasn?t anything that I wasn?t used to. Additionally, there was only one sex scene, and it wasn?t much.
There were some funny moments in the film to help lighten the mood, but for the most part, this was definitely a serious film that makes the audience feels what Adam has to go through as he tries to cope with the disease.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, one of my favorite actors, does a masterful job of playing Adam and Seth Rogen does an excellent job of playing Kyle.
This is one movie I definitely recommend.
5
Great Family Movie by morgan23
This movie is fantastic, its a great comedy all the way thru even though its about someone who gets cancer i stayed in a good mood the whole movie it kept me and my family laughing i was there with my step mom that went thru cancer and she was even cracking up the whole time not a depressing or sad movie one bit. I suggest that you go see this movie while you can its a great one makes you leave the thearte in a better mood. Great soundtrack throughout the movie too id like to buy it when it comes out. the picture quality and the backgrounds where the movie was filmed was fabolous. all around this was a great movie go see it now!
5
Emotionally awesome by saviahu
Very nice movie keep you involved. A very touchy topic still presented in a very funny way. Yet keeping it emotional too for a little bit.
5
Painfully Funny and Sad at the Same Time. by LoverBoy78
This movie was hilarious and given the subject matter, obviously sad at others. Cancer has to be one of the scariest things that can happen to any human. This film does a good job of showing what a person might go through from diagnosis to treatment and the final outcome. The relationship between the two main characters will make you hope your best friend would be as supportive if something like this ever happened to you. Although the subject matter is a bit sad, they did a great job of making it funny and entertaining. I laughed, I cried and I'm better for having seen this. What made it even more interesting to me is that the movie is based on the true story of Seth Rogen and his best friend who actually had cancer.
3
Potty Mouth Overload by Milo2011
A fine plot, well acted and directed production marred by an abundance of unnessary off-color, smutty sexual bachelor babble and salacious situations. Are all under 30ers really this amoral and vain?
5
Best movie in a while by opti_prime
Although the plot line was a little predictable at times, the emotion and acting was great. Probably one of the best pictures of what it would look like for someone so young to get cancer.
5
Loved it by psrock
One of my favorite films in a long time. I loved every minute, It's both great comedy and real and deeply moving. It's a great cast. Seth Rogan is always Seth Rogan, and that continues to work for him in this film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was fantastic, hit all the emotional moments and his comic timing and delivery was flawless. Angelica Houston and Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard - all perfect.
5
Definite GO. by idontwatchmovies
It has it all: drama, romance (cliche, but still good), and comedy! Plus, Joseph and Seth are in it, so double plus. It gives perspective on a serious topic, while making it so you're not bawling your eyes out and pitying the character. It sends a good message that while cancer is real, sadness is only an emotion and one should remember that there are many other emotions in the spectrum during hard times.
5
Inspiring, Funny and an emotional rollercoaster not to mention it's a pretty awesome film by indiguin82
I loved this movie!! I just watched it and fell in love with it and Joseph Gordon Levitt's character. He was phenomenal as was the supporting cast, especially Seth Rogen. I felt bad laughing at some parts but because it was about cancer yet made to have humor in it, you know not making fun of cancer js conversations I can hear ppl having about it that can be humorous. I laughed quite hard a few time but I cried so hard plenty other times. The story is great, the realism of what a cancer patient goes through was hard to see but I was glad I saw it, even if it isn't real in a sense. I can't say enough good things about this movie. It was just perfect, great and being someone who has a chronic illness, seeing his support system was nice. Something I wish to have. What a film. . . . .great til the very last scene, which was the most perfect of last scenes ever. KUDOS!!