After enduring a couple of talent switch-ups (Joseph Gordon-Levitt replaced James McAvoy; Jonathan Levine came aboard when early director Nicole Holofcener exited the project) in addition a few title changes (it was first known as “I’m With Cancer,” then changed briefly to “Live With It“) a trailer has finally landed for “50/50,” a dramedy which tackles the big C-word.
Written by real-life cancer survivor Will Reiser, the script featured highly on the Black List a few years back and has attracted a tremendous cast including the aforementioned Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Philip Baker Hall and Angelica Huston, with the story centered around Will (played by JGL) himself as he deals with the surprising news that he has cancer. As expected, the trailer balances both humor and heavier drama though we have to say, it came across a little bit bland to this writer. It was neither laugh-out-loud funny nor particularly moving, but the film is trying to strike a very delicate middle ground so perhaps the trailer isn’t the easiest place to convey that. Given the folks involved, we’ll remain optimistic for now.
“50/50” is slated to open on September 30th which pretty much guarantees a TIFF premiere. Check out the synopsis, some new pictures and the trailer below (or in HD at Apple).
Inspired by personal experiences, 50/50 is an original story about friendship, love, survival and finding humor in unlikely places. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen star as best friends whose lives are changed by a cancer diagnosis. Rogen also serves as producer, along with Evan Goldberg and Ben Karlin. Jonathan Levine directs from a script by Will Reiser. “We worked with Will on Da Ali G show, and it was shortly after that we learned he was sick.” Rogen recalls. “As shocking, sad, confusing and generally screwed up as it was; we couldn’t ignore that because we were so ill-equipped to deal with the situation, funny things kept happening. Will got better, and when he did, we thought the best way to pull something good out of the situation was to get him to write a screenplay. Ideally we wanted to make a film that would be as funny, sad, and hopefully as honest as the experience we went through. As soon as the script was completed, it quickly became a passion project for all of us. It helped us come to terms with Will’s struggle as well as our own experiences.” 50/50 is the story of a guy’s transformative and, yes, sometimes funny journey to health. 50/50 draws its emotional core from Will Reiser’s own experience with cancer and reminds us that friendship and love, no matter what bizarre turns they take, are the greatest healers.
