50/50 - A modern day masterpiece overlooked by many

               As the folks at tinseltown deviate from producing movies with intriguing plots and artistic eminence, and complacently invest billions on pretentious special effects, it's a sight for sore eyes to see movies like 50/50 surface from the cesspool of deteriorating hollywood. Indie movies like these are what deserve the spotlight, but which instead are shadowed by the banal mainstream films. Ugh! If only the tasteless moviegoers are incarcerated in a large chamber for a few weeks and subjected to fine cinema with the aid of a huge screen and speakers, would they realize how egregious their tastes in movies had been previously! It's a shame that the majority of moviegoers, unbeknownst to themselves, get mooned and farted in the face by the conniving directors.

Egghead in the making!

Inspired by a true life story, 50/50 spells 'awesomeness' in every single frame! The plot revolves around Adam, a mild mannered, good willed, upright guy who gets diagnosed with a rare form of colon cancer. When he learns the bad news, his whole life starts going in a downward spiral that threatens to lead to the abyss of hopelessness. Adam's inept therapist Katherine brings him hope, if not at first, and gradually becomes instrumental in changing him for the better. She soon becomes the light at the end of the tunnel for Adam who has always isolated himself from his overprotective mom and Alzheimer's inflicted dad for want of independence. Kyle, Adam's best friend, stands by him through his ordeals and is as pivotal a character. Despite his blithe demeanor, Kyle proves to be Adam's guardian angel, in addition to Katherine being a more passive one. 

Joseph Gordon Lewitt plays his role with finesse and awes us with his realistic portrayal of Adam. Any other actor, even of the same caliber wouldn't have suited this character this perfectly. Right from his sense of vulnerability to his reciprocal of his parents' affection, Joseph delivers with panache. Seth Rogen does a decent job as Kyle and serves more than just to provide comic relief. The bond of friendship that the duo share would belittle Damon and Pythias if they were to be alive. I wouldn't be surprised if one would severe ties with all friends and desperately yearn for a true friend like Kyle who'd always look out for oneself. Anna kendrick charms us with her adorable maladroitness. Her unique trait of social awkwardness is something some of us can relate to, and this makes her character Katherine more grounded to reality than the supposedly introverted female characters in a gazillion other movies. Bryce Howard as Rachael excels in the brief time frame she gets. The confrontation scene (you'd know when it happens) between Rachael and Kyle doesn't fail to elicit angst and pity from the viewers and is easily one of the most simple, yet tragical moments in the history of cinema.

Adam in a therapy session with Katherine

The choice of soundtracks adheres well with the crucial parts of the movie and a few are catchy for a good hum. The cinematography is simplistic and it's best left that way, owing to the realism factor. The strongest aspect of 50/50 is apparently the characterization. There's no room for one-dimensional cartoonish characters. Everyone of them, from the main cast to the supporting actors, is well fleshed out and weaves impeccably with the fabric of the story.

Some movies are just worth a watch, and some should be subjected to multiple viewings to relish every nook and crevice of its wholeness. 50/50 is compelling enough to be tagged under the latter category.