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.