esrosedotblog

THE BIG C

Today's film was

50/50 (2011)

with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen.

As sober about cancer as the deadly disease it is, this film carries a nice and often hilarious story line about best friends in a storm and also has a dash of romance.

Leavitt is a heavy weight who can do many things and this shows his chops for light comedy with a heavy load underneath it all.

Angelica Huston in some nice moments as his Mom and Philip Baker Hall as a fellow chemo patient is great.

Rogen comes in a lower gear here which is welcome. He is the very best friend, since childhood, and provides the real base of understanding love and compassion.

I liked it very much. There are faults. Some jokes fall flat but there are no shit and piss jokes. Plenty of balls and asshole jokes. Some straight sex but not at all objectionable since it was consensual and quick as well as not very good sex. Like most straight encounters I suspect.

The bond between Le

vitt and Rogen is more erotic really. It is a bromance and there is no homo to it but the love is palpable. These are two fine actors. Their rapport is exciting and brings tears.

Also, one of the ugliest dogs I have seen in a film meant as a helpful companion for the patient from an insensitive friend. I know about this kind of thing. People who give rescue dogs to other people with no warning. But this turns out well. Or as well as can be expected.

I would not mind seeing it again. A 4 out of Netflix5. Well, maybe a high 3. I am not sure that it would be as emotional the second time. No surprises and the film is full of them.

Labels: films