50/50
This comedy drama film is loosely inspired by the writer Will Reisers own experience whilst dealing with having cancer and the people he met on the way. It’s funny, yet a real tear-jerker, that slaps you in the face with the reality that one in three people are being diagnosed and treated with some sort of cancer. The title 50/50 was the characters survival chances.
Through out the movie you were shown reactions to cancer: From the patients point of you, his girlfriend, his best friend and his parents. There’s also a very candid view of the medical staff involved and how they try and maintain a professional approach. I was horrified at how the Consultant dealt with and shared the information……..and yet that scene, from the patients point of view, was spot on. To remain professional, whilst breaking horrendous news, can come across as distant, using terms that are misunderstood until the “C” word finally emerges and the world comes crashing down and nothing more is heard and retained. His best friend is a selfish but yet the most caring friend you’d ever want. I laughed through his cringing dealings of the whole situation and cried as I understood why he was acting the way he was. The roles of the Girl-Friend and the parents, all covered in such an honest way. This will be in many ways, a tough film to watch, if you are dealing with or have dealt with cancer. Yet I still watched…
The whole film cleverly and poignantly showed the progression of reactions to cancer.
The film was released in 2011. The main cast starred Joseph Gordan-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard and Anjelica Huston. Watch the movie and the bonus material. Both are excellent.
I loved this movie. I unashamedly sobbed through most of it. I hugged my husband a little bit tighter. I thought of those around me who are going through similar times at present and how scared, yet stoic, in regards to investigations, treatments and outcomes they have been. The humour of the movie was also relevant, my friends who are going through tough times in regards to cancer treatment and/or investigations of cancer, have used humour themselves to lighten the load. The “C word” causes a mix of reactions, no one knows truly how they will react, until they are faced with it. This movie evoked so many memories and also highlighted that there’s a chance that one of mine or me, will have to face this future. Sobering thoughts. Sharing your stories, whether through movies, books or with your nearest or dearest is a way of coping, accepting, dealing and facing cancer face to face.
There are many extremely good charities that are there specifically to help anyone who is facing cancer, either themselves or someone near and dear to them. October brought us “standing up to cancer” with many famous people standing by the public. The Entertainment Industry Foundation created a show to help raise money and was inspired and brought to you by those who have also been affected by cancer.
Their aims :- Raising awareness, Promoting fundraising, Showing the world that cancer isn’t fussy…. It chooses randomly the young and old, the rich and the poor, families, male and female. One in Three!! We need to face it together and stop it in its tracks. (The channel four show is now over but the Stand up to Cancer still continues and donations can still be made)
USEFUL SITES
www.standup2cancer.org/
www.macmillan.org.uk/
www.mariecurie.org.uk/
www.actioncancer.org/
www.cancerresearchuk.org/
There are many more, some specific to your type of cancer and groups to help through all the processes. the most important thing to remember – you aren’t alone. if you would like to share your story, feel free to contact us at the Daily Waffle…..It’s good to talk x
I love this film.
I faced my own 50/50 odds last year although mine was a brain haemorrhage not cancer.
Still I found much to relate to in this film. It made me laugh and also cry especially when I recognised my own feelings and experiences and those of my family in some scenes. It’s a film I can point others toward when trying to explain a tiny bit of what I went through.