‘50/50’ gives 100 percent on Blu-ray and DVD

“50/50”

Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2011, R for language throughout, sexual content and some drug use

Best extra: Audio commentary with actor Seth Rogen, producers Ben Karlin and Evan Goldberg, writer Will Reiser, and director Jonathan Levine

WHEN THE WORDS “cancer” and “comedy” are pitched together, it’s easy to be skeptical about a movie’s intentions. In this case, it’s an honest, poignant and humorous look at a 27-year-old’s bout with spinal cancer and the people in his life that let him down or lift him up. It’s so honest it’s like riding an emotional roller-coaster, mirroring the ups and downs of star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who plays Adam, trying to be strong when he learns he has cancer, trying to not to complain, trying to be … human.

What adds to the film, too, is its outstanding high-definition rendition – the worry is clearly etched on Adam’s face. So is the pain his girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard) feels trying to do the right thing when she knows she doesn’t really have it in herself, and the clown-antics of best-friend Kyle (Seth Rogen), who’s hurting inside but doesn’t know how to show it. Plus, rainy or not, Seattle looks cool in HD.

As for the sound, this is mainly a dialogue-driven flick, but sounds are used so well, including music moments when Adam reads he has a 50/50 chance of survival and when he loses it by trying to drive Kyle’s car like a maniac. There are no disappoints in this soundtrack.

Overall, the high-def bonus features are short, but packed with information as to how the movie made it to the big screen. Producer Evan Goldberg, director Jonathan Levine and Rogen talk about how they got involved in the project. Goldberg and Rogen know screenwriter Will Reiser, who had his own battle with spinal cancer. Reiser explains that he didn’t want to make an autobiographical film because cancer is so universal in our society – he wanted Adam to be his own character. Rogen and Goldberg talk about their experiences dealing with their friend’s battle, and how sometimes humor is the best coping medicine of all.

Five deleted scenes with optional Levine commentary are put into perspective for those who wonder why scenes are shot and then end up on the cutting room floor. Levine, such a young director, is wise beyond his years.

Two other bonuses are interesting; “Life Inspires Art” has four scenes with Reiser, Goldberg and Rogen explaining how some events happened in real life. Although Reiser didn’t go through chemotherapy like Adam, he did start smoking pot to ease the pain and nausea; “Seek and Destroy” is a two-minute look at Rogen and Gordon-Levitt’s scene where they destroy an art piece.

The big bonus is the commentary; it’s fast-paced and funny, although Rogen sometimes gets a bit loud and dominates the track. Still, there are intriguing tidbits of information in there about shooting the movie that brings in some laughs.

Even if you don’t know someone who has fought cancer – difficult in this day and age – you should enjoy this movie and its sincere, straightforward look at a serious part of life.

— Toni Guagenti

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