50/50 - 2011

This is actually the first cancer related movie I saw before I thought of doing this blog. That said, I don't totally hate this movie. It's not overly sentimental or evasive in treating the topic of cancer, and the message of hope is genuine. It's based on the real life experience of the screenwriter, Will Reiser. The main character lives through chemo and radiation and surgery and is given as good a prognosis as possible, though the specter of remission is there. 

One unique spin this story has is that the patient is required to have a form of counseling while getting treatment, for any psychological or social challenges the patient might face. This is the first movie that I'm aware of that refers to this. I don't know how widespread the practice of requiring counseling is, but in my case it was required and I found it helpful. 

Which leads to the main sour note in this movie for me - the romance between the patient and his therapist. Not only would a relationship between patient and therapist be highly unethical, but implausible and pretty much ridiculous in the midst of the situation. But hey, this is Hollywood storytelling. Gotta have romance.  

50/50 (2011) - Trailer

Again, this is based on a true story, by the screenwriter, though it is only partly based on the truth. This is an article on how accurate the film is, by the screenwriter - Is it true? Well, ‘50/50’. BY WILL REISER, screenwriter  (LA Times, Dec. 15, 2011)

Yes, the most annoying plot points, in terms of being ridiculous, are made up. The plot point of "scoring women through pity" is made up. The "falling in love with your therapist" is also fiction (thank goodness). Curiously, at least one critic focused on the Mother as the most unbelievable thing, with her being a Jewish Mother stereotype. Only the screenwriter says that the Mother is the one character and story arc that is very much based on real life. That is pretty funny. In general, for cancer movies, this feels like a step in the right direction.

Dark Victory 1939

The First Cancer Movie -  Dark Victory, 1939

Wikipedia entry for Dark Victory. 

There were general illness-themed movies going back to the earliest days of motion pictures, with the illness most often being consumption or tuberculosis.  Dark Victory is considered the first cancer movie.  Notice that in the trailer the word 'cancer' is never mentioned. There is not even a suggestion of 'illness' at all. It's presented as any ordinary sweeping romantic drama. Dark Victory (1939) Official Trailer - Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart Drama Movie HD

In the movie itself, the word cancer is used once, but even then it is spoken by one doctor to another, and certainly not to the patient. 

This leads to the first cancer movie issue - SECRECY. This is an issue that will occur throughout the decades in cancers movies, with many variations and nuanced takes. But in this case it is the most egregious issue I have a problem with - KEEP IT SECRET FROM THE PATIENT. This is the first movie where the doctor conspires with a spouse or friend to keep the truth from the patient. The patient always finds out, of course, as that's where the drama is most heightened.

Another common problem that will go on for decades, but gradually improve - LACK OF TECHNICAL MEDICAL EXPLANATION. The most technical Dark Victory gets (apart from using the word cancer ) is to say that the type of cancer is Glioma. They also use the word malignant. Again, all these only once, and from doctor to doctor, not with the patient present.

One curious observation - the earliest cancer movies seem to favor brain tumors. I've not heard any solid theories as to why this might be. General lack of knowledge about types of cancer? More presentable in movies, as the only prop needed is a head bandage? One thing that is positive (I suppose) is that this is the only cancer movie I've seen where the patient smokes in in the hospital room. She smokes quite a lot in the movie actually, very common in Hollywood movies at the time. But the hospital room?