#2: 50/50

“Wait – it’s a comedy about cancer? Jesus, that seems to be in terrible taste. Count me out.”

That’s most people’s first reaction when I tell them about one of the second-best film of the year.

50/50 is a loosely based on the true story of Will Reiser, a close friend of Seth Rogen. Only in his twenties,he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. So Rogen essentially plays himself. (Then again, he has been playing the exact same character since Knocked Up.) But his performance is far from stale. His casual stoner charm shines brightly in his honest, often hilarious performance.

But it’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt who truly impresses. I don’t really remember Gordon-Levitt in Inception, except for the gravity-defying fight scene in the hotel corridor. And I haven’t seen him in 500 Days of Summer. But I’ll never forget his naturalistic star-making turn in this film. He’s utterly convincing and relatable as a young man who doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, but is still on the brink of death. He tries to put on a brave face as he stares into the void. But he’s vulnerable, unsure if anyone can or will help make him feel better. And even if they could, he only has half a chance of survival.

50/50 deftly handles its sensitive subject matter. And against the odds, it’s one of those rare films that balances comedy and drama (see Sideways, Little Miss Sunshine, Lars and the Real Girl). It really is an emotional rollercoaster – you’ll feel every peak and trough, every ray of hope and every pit of despair. The characters grow throughout the film and their relationships flourish. It’s the little details that make 50/50 the most realistic yet uplifting film you’ll see this year. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Well, nine down – only one to go. Tomorrow is the big one: it’s #1 – my favourite film of 2011 and the deserved winner of the first annual Corzie! We’re almost there.