I did it. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to, but I did. I would have probably chickened out if it hadn’t been for Rocco. And now I’m super glad I did.
I went to see the new movie, 50/50.
Just in case you don’t watch TV, or listen to the radio, or interact with any sort of media of any kind, 50/50 is a cancer flick staring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen. It’s based on the screenwriter’s (Will Reiser) real-life diagnosis at the age of 25.
Here’s the preview:
To be fair, I went into the movie with high expectations and hopes. The preview and press all “looked” right, like it wasn’t going to be some creepy Lifetime made-for-TV thing nor some Three Stooges forced comedy thing. But we all know how much a preview can deviate from a movie. So I tried to prepare myself for the flick to suck.
But it didn’t.
At all.
In fact, it was pretty wonderful.
For some reason, the adjective that springs to mind is “tasteful.” I don’t know how many people would use the word “tasteful” to describe a movie with no less than seven dick jokes, but I’m doing it anyway. It wasn’t slapstick comedy or demeaning in any way. Or forced. There weren’t any obvious you-know-we-really-need-a-joke-here moments. It was all just very natural and honest.
I think that’s one of the worst parts of cancer…well of any disease really. It’s easy to stop seeing someone as a person and only see them as their sickness, their symptoms. But if a person cracks jokes and likes mambo music before they get sick, they aren’t going to cease to crack jokes and like mambo music when faced with cancer. They’re still the same person. They don’t cease to exist. And I thought 50/50 captured that perfectly. (Spoiler alert: there wasn’t really any mambo music in the movie. I made that up.)
The emotions were breathtaking. Literally. At several points I had to consciously force myself to start breathing again around the giant lump in my throat. When the main character interacted with others…telling them, comforting them, apologizing for his diagnosis…well, it was all very real.
Like the laughs, the emotional scenes didn’t feel forced, either. There was no tear jerking. I didn’t feel manipulated by the film maker. But of course, I still cried. Rocco (my own, personal Seth Rogen) bawled – though he tried to do it quietly. But we cried at very different things. The story was allowed to unfold naturally, leaving each individual participant in the audience to find the parts that most resonated with them – patient or caretaker, family or friend, even just the casual acquaintance.
Because it’s not just for those directly affected by cancer. It’s for anyone affected by life – anyone that’s felt alone, or smothered by a parent, or un-special, or deceived, or treasured, or grateful – anyone that’s ever FELT.
And while the main character in the movie has to face far too much of the ordeal on his own, the most beautiful relationship of the film is the bromance between him and Seth. Again, 50/50 does a wonderful job of letting that speak for itself as it slowly develops and intensifies. There’s no “cheapness” to the depiction. It was just….lovely.
It was everything I want my book to be.
I hope the film does well – for both altruistic and selfish reasons. First, as sad as it may be, more people watch movies than read books. So I’m thrilled there’s a movie that fairly depicts the experience of today’s younger cancer patient. I think it’s so important to be able to laugh in the face of fear – and this movie does just that, in the most beautiful way possible. And selfishly, if it does well at the box office, it shows that there IS a market out there for Lymphomania, and that we as a society CAN talk about death and illness – we just want to do it on our terms.
So go see it. And bring a hanky.
I’m going to see this movie toute sweet even if I don’t have you to snuggle with in the dark theatre.
That man with the overcoat will just have to do.
I hardly fit in the theater seat, so overcoat man will probably be more comfortable. Plus his coat at least has the potential to close.
I’ll admit it. I wasn’t sure I was going to see this one. But now, after such a glowing review, how can I miss it?
I heard a piece recently on how we as a society seem to shun “tear jerkers” these days – that Beaches or Terms of Endearment could never be made today. So I don’t think you’re the only one hesitant to watch that kind of flick. But yeah, dick jokes. You’ll be fine.
I’m contracted by a hospital system to play my harp for folks on the Oncology floor. Sooooo many of the people on that floor are young….with cancer…..it boggles my mind.
Thank you for the movie review. I wouldn’t have even known it was out there, if not for you.
I will be looking for and watching it!
Yay! I’m a marketing GOD! (And yay for you and your harp, buttercup. I LOVED when musicians performed in the patient lounge.)
I KNEW that was going to be a good movie! Now I just need someone to go with. Man I miss dating!
Hellish I will totally spoon with you in the theatre.
Hell, I might try out being single again if it meant I could spoon with Duf in a dark theater.
Not only am I going, but my husband is too. By choice. That has got to tell you there’s a market for it and that it appears non-treacle filled. And I know Lymphomania will be the same. All that’s left is for you to decide who’s gonna play you in the movie. Choose wisely.
I just know I want Paul Rudd to play Rocco. I’m pretty sure Seth Rogen needs to play Thom.
Also? I love you hard. And in the face.
Yes, it’s on my “to see” list. And I think Ellen Page should play you in the movie of Lymphomania.
Flattery will get you everywhere, Deb. *slurp*
Or Justin Bieber.
You all better pray that Victoria Principal is available to say my lines because there is no one else who can nail my gentle cadence. And screw the fact that I’m not even in the book. I come in with with the GGBers as the Greek Chorus that narrate, deliver monologues that wind off on strange tangents and otherwise move the story along.
Damn. I knew it was missing something. We’ll have to work in a chorus for the Broadway interpretation.
If we actually went to movies anymore we would definately be seeing this one.
Instead we’ll rent it “On Demand” about 6 months after all the buzz has died down.
We call that “living on the edge”.
OK, it’s the trailing edge, but it’s technically still an edge.
Maybe even a precipice. Wild man.
I never go to theaters anymore. Once a year, tops. But I’ll definitely see it when it comes out on video. lol
I was planning to see the film anyway, but now maybe I have to see it twice. You do that to me.
I thought of your book immediately when I saw the trailer for this movie. But all props to you; you were the first person to open my eyes to the idea that we can laugh while we’re scared as shit. And that’s a cool thing.
Saw the preview and could not stop smiling even though it’s a complicated smile… Has two of my fav actors: Seth Rogen and the kid from 3rd rock from the sun. So glad you saw it and loved it.
I want a macaroon!
Huh… never even heard of it. Maybe I’ll take the wife one of these days, though like a lot of the other posters we’ll probably watch it in about 6 months. I’ll put it on the list, though!