Golden Globe Nominated Performance Review: Joseph Gordon-Levitt in "50/50"

I am not the world’s biggest fan of Seth Rogen. Over the years, I have grown tired of his constant joking around in his films and his extremely laid-back attitude when engaging in interviews on talk shows. In addition, and this is very important, I do not like the fact that he treats serious topics like unplanned pregnancy, which heavily centered upon in “Knocked Up,” as well as excessive gun violence, which is highlighted in “Pineapple Express,” and not taking them very gravely. Therefore, when first hearing that Rogen was co-starring in as well as co-producing “50/50;” a movie about a young man getting diagnosed with a rare form of Cancer, I was very hesitant about viewing the film; considering that he might be turning the life-threatening disease into one big punchline. Fortunately, however, I was more-than-happy to see the talented and personable Joseph Gordon-Levitt star as the titular character that is inflicted with the serious sickness; and that Rogen was portraying the lead actor’s best friend. What’s more, as I viewed the film this past October, Gordon-Levitt’s completely indisputable performance as protagonist Adam Lerner enabled me to nearly ignore Seth Rogen’s repartee and crude behavior; due to the lead actor’s immensely strong commitment to his respective role. And when I heard that Joseph Gordon-Levitt had been nominated for a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy or Musical, I smiled widely and honestly; seeing how the actor’s entire feat was completely rich and devoid of any insincerity whatsoever. Henceforth, I can say with all honesty:

I Am 100% Happy For Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Golden Globe Nomination For “50/50”

In Director Jonathan Levine’s comedy-drama, that is written by Will Reiser, who based the movie on his own experiences with Cancer, Joseph Gordon-Levitt earnestly plays Adam Lerner; a young journalist who visits a doctor’s office after experiencing back pains. His physician diagnoses him with an atypical form of Cancer and advises the young man to undergo chemotherapy. This news greatly troubles Gordon –Levitt’s character; as the doctor explains that he the chances that he could survive the illness are greatly half-and-half. Upon seeing the fear brewing in the young man, the doctor gives out the contact information for a hospital counselor so he could have additional support. Subsequently, Adam discusses his ailment with his girlfriend Rachel, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, who promises to stand by him at all times; even though it is evident that she is having a hard time accepting the news. Soon after, Adam nervously discusses his condition with his best friend and co-worker Kyle, portrayed with vast self-assurance by Seth Rogen, who attempts to cheer him up by explain that he does, in fact, have a chance at surviving. A couple of days later, Adam has his family over for dinner; along with Bryce Dallas Howard’s Rachael. Gordon Levitt’s Adam tells his mother, played by Angelica Houston, about his illness; only to hear her son say that he's got a hold of his situation. His mother strongly asks him who would step in and take care of him; and Dallas-Howard’s Rachael states that she will do so. Eventually, Adam meets with his recommended counselor; who, surprisingly, turns out to be a young trainee named Katie McKay; tenderly played by Anna Kendrick. And throughout “50/50,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt bestows a performance that is completely believable and emotional.

Image of Joseph Gordon-Levitt taken from http://www.google.com/imgres?q=%22Joseph+Gordon-Levitt%22+%2B+%2250/50%22&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1223&bih=570&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnso&tbnid=Aw8mFePjGozddM:&imgrefurl=http://cinesnark.wordpress.com/tag/joseph-gordon-levitt-ftw/&docid=6NYbOHguJI2uTM&imgurl=http://cinesnark.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/joseph-gordon-levitt-as-adam-in-50-50-20111.jpg&w=780&h=419&ei=2XDyTqHfI4qXtwfd-PTQBg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=312&sig=103715830871851290833&page=1&tbnh=107&tbnw=143&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0&tx=45&ty=74

During the course of the film, Joseph Gordon-Levitt ensures that his overall performance as Adam Lerner is completely believable. In fact, right when Gordon-Levitt’s character learns that he’s inflicted with a tumor on his spine, the audience can notice the look of complete shock that strikes the young man’s face. You can imagine that the strong possibility of death is racing through his mind; so much so that he is practically unable to focus when his doctor is explaining the treatment for his condition. Gordon-Levitt continues to ensure that his protagonist is worried about telling the people in his life about his diagnosis; particularly Seth Rogen’s Kyle and Bryce Dallas Howard’s Rachael. This proves to be very important; as we find out that these relationships will be affected by the diagnosis of our protagonist's illness,

While Seth Rogen's Kyle appears to be supportive of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Adam Lerner, Bryce Dallas Howard's Rachael quickly proves to be the exact opposite. She starts to appear detached from Joseph-Gordon Levitt's Adam Lerner; as we notice that she is very late when picking our protagonist up from his chemo treatment. And when Rogen's Kyle catches her with another man and then reports to Gordon-Levitt's Adam Lerner about her distrustful nature, we share the the strong resentment that he possesses. After being told by Rogen's Kyle to leave, Bryce Dallas Howard's Rachael returns later in hopes to coax Gordon-Levitt's Adam Lerner into letting her back into his life. However, our protagonist sees through her ploy, and tells the distrustful woman to leave and never return. Thus, we are happy to see how, even though, he is strong enough to express his honest feelings; despite his health being affected by the illness. And throughout these scenes, Gordon-Levitt bestows a strong sense of honesty to his respective character. We cheer for him as he stands up for himself; not letting Bryce Dallas Howard's Rachael get the best of him emotionally, However, while these scenes are quite moving, the most powerful sequences of the movie occur after Gordon-Levitt's Adam Lerner learns that a fellow chemo patient abruptly died after appearing completely fine during a treatment session. After hearing this upsetting news, our protagonist, while already worried about his condition, now realizes that death can strike him at any moment.

It is at this point in the film that Joseph Gordon-Levitt allows his character to grow increasingly furious about his medical condition. Completely nervous and aggravated about the strong chance of death, Gordon-Levitt’s Adam Lerner starts to strongly accuse Anna Kendrick’s Katie McKay about giving him false hope about overcoming his illness. The actor enables his character to strongly voice his dissatisfaction with the way his life is turning out. Gordon-Levitt’s performance enables you to further sympathize with him; seeing as no matter what advice he gets, the possibility of sudden death is completely real. We sense the immense fear in every word Gordon-Levitt’s protagonist speaks; thus causing us to be caught up in the severity of his situation.

We are further able to seriously note the increasing anguish Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Adam Lerner is experiencing; particularly when learning from his doctor that surgery is the only possible option for removing the tumor; as the chemo has failed to reduce its presence on our protagonist's spine. The major drawback, however, is that our protagonist could possibly die during the operation. The night before the surgery, Seth Rogen’s Kyle suggests they go out to a bar and possibly hook up with single women. However, Gordon-Levitt’s rebukes his friend for showing more interest in meeting women rather than showing more genuine acts of compassion. The outburst of Gordon-Levitt’s protagonist permits us to be as taken back as Rogen’s character. We strongly grasp the sides of our seats in a state of extreme shock; seeing as Joseph Gordon-Levitt's performance proves to be completely full of genuine emotion.

And this why I’m so happy for Gordon-Levitt’s Golden Globe nomination. The actor’s performance throughout the entire film is completely real. We recurrently see immense fear in the young man’s eyes; and we know that the uncertainty of his condition is causing different thoughts to stream throughout his protagonist’s mind. Never one does the actor abandon his realistic portrayal of the film's lead character. And because of this, we are wholeheartedly able to worry for Gordon-Levitt's protagonist's well-being. And when his character is And when Gordon-Levitt's Adam Lerner realizes that Seth Rogen’s Kyle has been reading about Cancer and how to be there for his friend, we can completely believe the smile that spreads on our protagonist's face; as he officially knows that his friend does care. What’s more, when observing Gordon-Levitt’s protagonist be wheeled into the operating room in hopes to remove the tumor, we are as anxious as Adam Lerner’s mother, Seth Rogen’s Kyle, and even Christina Hendricks’ Katie as to whether or not our hero will pull through the procedure. That truly is an impressive and memorable accomplishment!

Image of Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt taken from http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Joseph+Gordon-Levitt+%2B+50/50&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1223&bih=570&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnso&tbnid=M6zNpyamko5LIM:&imgrefurl=http://www.fansshare.com/news/joseph-gordon-levitt--seth-rogen--50-50-trailer-and-poster/&docid=yOSklM7bhn8l1M&imgurl=http://www.fansshare.com/media/content/570_Joseph-Gordon-Levitt--Seth-Rogen--50-50-trailer-and-poster-3348.jpg&w=570&h=309&ei=sYzyTq-rOZGXtwfE1tTPBg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=297&sig=103715830871851290833&page=1&tbnh=116&tbnw=157&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0&tx=45&ty=85

Therefore I am very happy to see Joseph Gordon-Levitt turn in an emotional and unwavering performance as his designated protagonist. The actor's appearance in the film never drags; as he has your attention in every scene. This is a tremendous feat; seeing as Seth Rogen's unwarranted vulgarity is frequently in your face. It's obvious that Rogen is meant to serve as the film's comic relief; but, in all honesty, his attempts to be funny come off as forced and lacking sensitivity. However, he does share good chemistry with Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the two performers interact with each other in a flawless manner. In addition, the very fact that Rogen's character has been brushing up on knowledge about his friend's illness, allows me to cut the actor some slack. Nevertheless, I must commend Joseph Gordon-Levitt on taking his respected role very seriously and not relying on one-dimensional lingo. He is a very good actor and I look forward to seeing him star in more films in the future. And if he doesn't get an award for his deep performance in "50/50," then he definitely deserves accolades for putting up with Seth Rogen's crudity.

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