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50/50 (2011)Movie Reviews
Comedy drama about two best friends whose lives are changed by a cancer diagnosis. Cast:Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Angelica HustonDirector:Jonathan LevineRelease Date:September 30, 2011DVD Release:January 24, 2012From:Summit EntertainmentRating:RLength:1 hr 39 min
50/50 (2011) played to very good reviews. • Rafer Guzman wrote in New York Newsday, "...a funny, honest and at times moving account of a young dude's battle with the Big C." • And Mara Reinstein wrote in Us Weekly, "A triumphant comedy about dying? Believe it.... Thanks to a sharp script by cancer survivor Will Reiser, Adam's battle is illustrated with poignancy and, yes, much humor." More Reviews Below...
Alynda Wheat, People: OUTSTANDING(cg) "Funny and insightful... starts with a terrible shock, but finishes with lovely surprises.... '50/50' stays sharp.... we end up laughing through tears."(See all of Alynda Wheat's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 108 words, 09/29/11
Richard Corliss, Time: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "A cancer comedy that doesn't quite live up to its killer premise and affecting backstory.... To the extent that '50/50' works, it's because of Gordon-Levitt..."(See all of Richard Corliss's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 859 words, 09/30/11
Mara Reinstein, Us Weekly: OUTSTANDING(cg) "A triumphant comedy about dying? Believe it.... Adam's battle is illustrated with poignancy and, yes, much humor.... Bring tissues anyway."(See all of Mara Reinstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 82 words, 09/29/11
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: EXCELLENT(cg) "The disconcerting sight of Adam sitting on death row delivers part 1 of the one-two punch... Part 2 comes when Rogen and Kendrick fill '50/50' with healthy laughter."(See all of Lisa Schwarzbaum's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 622 words, 09/30/11
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...better than OK, it's some kind of miracle... A movie handled with this kind of care is a rare gift. Refusing to hide from pain or bow to it, it makes its own rules."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 428 words, 09/30/11
Claudia Puig, USA Today: OUTSTANDING(cg) "Every performance in the film is flawless, but three stand out: Gordon-Levitt is terrific... Rogen's delivery is flawless... Kendrick brings a sweetly endearing quality..."(See all of Claudia Puig's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 523 words, 09/30/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...although '50/50' is structured with the efficiency of a sitcom, there's an undercurrent of truth and real feeling.... A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 711 words, 09/29/11
Kat Murphy, MSN Movies: VERY GOOD(cg) "...the prognosis is mostly positive, thanks to the genuine sweetness and pure joy... delivers some hard-core truths as well as therapeutic humor..."(See all of Kat Murphy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 789 words, 09/27/11
James Berardinelli, Reel Views: VERY GOOD(cg) "Levine knows when to tickle the funny bone and when to slow things down so we realize the gravity... There is a wealth of authenticity in the feel of the movie..."(See all of James Berardinelli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 696 words, 09/28/11
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (14 Reviews)
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: GOOD "...dividends include a very nice Anjelica Huston as Adam's mother, the great Philip Baker Hall as a cancer-afflicted curmudgeon... and, best of all, Ms. Kendrick..."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 682 words, 09/30/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: GOOD "Though it falls off the wagon at times, it maintains its balance remarkably well.... '50/50' may be an unlikely hybrid, but it grows on you."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 707 words, 09/30/11
Lou Lumenick, New York Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...succeeds mostly thanks to stellar work by the wonderful Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Seth Rogen, who delivers big laughs as his raunchy bud."(See all of Lou Lumenick's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 532 words, 09/30/11
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: VERY GOOD(cg) "...addresses its protagonist's health crisis and chances for survival directly, with a refreshing lack of narrative hemming, hawing or embroidery..."(See all of Michael Phillips's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 592 words, 09/30/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...although '50/50' is structured with the efficiency of a sitcom, there's an undercurrent of truth and real feeling.... A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 711 words, 09/29/11
Dan Kois, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...mostly succeeds as a movie about a young man fighting cancer that doesn't give in to sap or sentiment. While it's often quite funny, it's more often angry..."(See all of Dan Kois's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 569 words, 09/28/11
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...the serious subject matter is regularly enlivened with jolts of genuine hilarity, some of it in delightfully questionable taste. It's also unashamedly moving..."(See all of Linda Barnard's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 555 words, 09/30/11
Rick Groen, Toronto Globe & Mail: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...yep, you will laugh, you will cry.... a buoyant romcom, an unlikely partnership that, dancing adroitly between the drama and the laughs, works remarkably well."(See all of Rick Groen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 141 words, 09/07/11
Josep Parera, La Opinion: EXCELLENT(cg) "...es una oportunidad única de adentrarse en una situación vital, por desgracia común, desde una perspectiva respetuosa, conmovedora y realista."(See all of Josep Parera's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 513 words, 09/30/11
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "...a shaggy and entertaining buddy movie that just happens to have life-or-death stakes and a grungy immediacy that serves the story well."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 233 words, 09/29/11
KEY CITIES (14 Reviews)
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a refreshingly frank glimpse of a world too often distorted by Hollywood for its own ends... '50/50' beats the odds with modest, utterly winning ease."(See all of Ann Hornaday's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 669 words, 09/30/11
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: VERY GOOD(cg) "Levitt, the definition of nuance, is touching, funny, and fierce - an unusual combination of moods, but deeply affecting."(See all of Carrie Rickey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 459 words, 09/30/11
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: VERY GOOD(cg) "It's not the first word on cancer comedies, and it won't be the last. But odds are you'll find something of substance..."(See all of Roger Moore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 614 words, 09/30/11
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...50 percent affecting medical drama and 50 percent first-rate character study. It's also a comedy that sometimes makes you feel uneasy about laughing."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 542 words, 09/30/11
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: OUTSTANDING(cg) "Anything that might have come off as sappy doesn't. Anything that might sound false rings true.... an outstanding movie, one of the best of the year."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 612 words, 09/30/11
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Too pat and contrived... most affecting when it shows callow young dudes struggling to come to terms with the ultimate party crasher."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 745 words, 09/30/11
Stephen Whitty, New Jersey Star-Ledger: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...it all never quite comes together as well as it should... it may be that this film had not too few rewrites, but too many."(See all of Stephen Whitty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 555 words, 09/30/11
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: VERY GOOD(cg) "...everything about the handling of the usual scenes is different, made palatable not by glossing over things with jokes but by staying human scale and true to the characters."(See all of Mick LaSalle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 619 words, 09/30/11
Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...it's not a perfect movie, but it doesn't matter. '50/50' takes on a bold subject and makes us laugh and cry. I thought I didn't want to see a cancer comedy; I was wrong."(See all of Moira Macdonald's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 544 words, 09/30/11
Marc Mohan, Portland Oregonian: EXCELLENT(cg) "...isn't quite as outré as it thinks. Still, thanks to a slew of engaging performances and a script that finds the sweet spot between crass and curdled, it's a winner."(See all of Marc Mohan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 280 words, 09/30/11
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: VERY GOOD(cg) "...the closer it gets to the mortal abyss, the more it feels real and revealing... a healthy alternative to tearjerkers."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 358 words, 09/30/11
Steve Persall, St. Petersburg Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...sentimental but never too much. Not with this cast. It's irreverent about cancer and that could be inspirational.... one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen all year."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 534 words, 09/29/11
Tom Long, Detroit News: EXCELLENT(cg) "...a smart, entertaining crowd-pleaser that finds human and humorous touches in an awful situation. It is a film about illness that makes you glad to be alive."(See all of Tom Long's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 270 words, 09/30/11
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...utterly unique.... '50/50's' agenda isn't to shed light on the hardship of battling illness. It's about celebrating the bonds of friendship..."(See all of Connie Ogle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 719 words, 09/30/11
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (10 Reviews)
Dan Kois, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...mostly succeeds as a movie about a young man fighting cancer that doesn't give in to sap or sentiment. While it's often quite funny, it's more often angry..."(See all of Dan Kois's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 569 words, 09/28/11
Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...isn't just a phenomenal movie, but one that speaks to the truth of the human condition.... Every moment is set firmly in reality."(See all of Eric Eisenberg's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 711 words, 09/26/11
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix: MODERATE(cg) "...a halfhearted attempt to raise Will Reiser's script above clever stereotype.... an edgy concept, promising director, and a fine cast done in by bromides."(See all of Peter Keough's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 189 words, 09/29/11
Stephanie Zacharek, Movieline: VERY GOOD(cg) "...succeeds in showing cancer -- or illness in general -- as a part of life, instead of just treating it as a device to set the dramatic weight swinging."(See all of Stephanie Zacharek's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 722 words, 09/29/11
R. Kurt Osenlund, Slant: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...intermittently moving and largely comprised of endearing characters... consistently chooses to forgo challenging drama in favor of comfy digestibility."(See all of R. Kurt Osenlund's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 667 words, 09/27/11
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "...a shaggy and entertaining buddy movie that just happens to have life-or-death stakes and a grungy immediacy that serves the story well."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 233 words, 09/29/11
Curt Holman, Atlanta Creative Loafing: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Despite Gordon-Levitt's soft-spoken magnetism, his performance doesn't provide a cure for a common movie."(See all of Curt Holman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 383 words, 09/30/11
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...an honest, hilarious, laugh-till-you-cry look at how very much it sucks to get very sick as a young person.... Don't miss this one."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 398 words, 12/06/11
HIGHBROW PRESS (7 Reviews)
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "I admire the audacity of the script... Yet my feelings about the film, which was directed by Jonathan Levine, hover around 60/40. I wish it well, and wish it were better."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 616 words, 09/30/11
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: GOOD "...dividends include a very nice Anjelica Huston as Adam's mother, the great Philip Baker Hall as a cancer-afflicted curmudgeon... and, best of all, Ms. Kendrick..."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 682 words, 09/30/11
Bob Mondello, NPR: VERY GOOD "In other hands, Adam might well be hard to take. But Gordon-Levitt, who's maybe the most natural, least affected actor of his generation, makes prickly plenty engaging."(See all of Bob Mondello's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 671 words, 09/29/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: GOOD "Though it falls off the wagon at times, it maintains its balance remarkably well.... '50/50' may be an unlikely hybrid, but it grows on you."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 707 words, 09/30/11
Dana Stevens, Slate: MODERATE "...both amusing and moving... But as a whole the movie never quite coheres, seeming to skitter away at the last minute from both full-body laughter and full-body sobs."(See all of Dana Stevens's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 597 words, 09/30/11
Mary Elizabeth Williams, Salon: EXCELLENT "...poignant, funny... self-aware enough to crack a 'Terms of Endearment' joke, to compare its chemo-bald leading man to both Lord Voldemort and Michael Stipe..."(See all of Mary Elizabeth Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 803 words, 09/30/11
MOVIE INDUSTRY (6 Reviews)
Justin Chang, Daily Variety: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "Reiser's semiautobiographical script initially prescribes too artificial a story treatment for its characters but is rescued by a genial, low-key vibe that builds in sensitivity and emotion..."(See all of Justin Chang's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 739 words, 09/11/11
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...a purely formulaic screenplay. Not a bad one, mind you, and certainly not one without a goodly number of laughs. But you see nearly every story development coming a mile away."(See all of Kirk Honeycutt's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 919 words, 09/11/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: GOOD "Though it falls off the wagon at times, it maintains its balance remarkably well.... '50/50' may be an unlikely hybrid, but it grows on you."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 707 words, 09/30/11
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: VERY GOOD(cg) "...just may be one of the most upbeat cancer movies ever made.... tries very hard -- too hard -- for this honor, delivering a heartfelt but not always convincing film."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 806 words, 08/29/11
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: GOOD "...dividends include a very nice Anjelica Huston as Adam's mother, the great Philip Baker Hall as a cancer-afflicted curmudgeon... and, best of all, Ms. Kendrick..."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 682 words, 09/30/11
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "I admire the audacity of the script... Yet my feelings about the film, which was directed by Jonathan Levine, hover around 60/40. I wish it well, and wish it were better."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 616 words, 09/30/11
15.7 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
50/50 (2011)'s reviews are separated by an average 15.7 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
50/50 (2011) (52 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:50/50 (2011)'s reviews cover 100.0% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 28,207 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 542 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 22.9 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
50/50 (2011)'s reviews on average broke 22.9 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is 50/50 (2011)'s opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
50/50 (2011) (52 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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