An interesting DVD on the emotions of people when faced with cancer. Quite enjoyable 7/10
I give it only 2 and a half stars. It is a comedy about having a serious cancer plus some elements of romantic comedy, for sugar coating and for broader appeal. Of course there is a happy ending, what else can one expect from an American movie... The main character can move normally despite having a serious spinal cancer. Even after the major surgery where they supposedly removed lots of tissue from his hips and spine, etc. he still can move as if nothing serious was going on. The only signs of major surgery is a nit vertical wound along his spine. There is also one mild scene of vomiting and one scene of shaving his hair (but no signs of loosing hair before that shaving scene). No real loosing weight is shown, instead they merely show the image of the scales suggesting that he is loosing weight, and so on and on. In other words the whole cancer is depicted as if it was a mild flue. It actually can be offensive for people who suffered (or had a close family member who suffered) a real serious health problems like for instance a devastating cancer. The movie shows a funeral of some other cancer patient but the main character of course goes on to live happy ever after....American movies are so predictable, the plot serves maximasing the profits, the audience wants a happy ending both health wise and regarding the romantic story. The audience gets what the audience wants. End of story.
Based on incidents in the screenwriters own life, this is a heartfelt,sometimes very funny look at the consequences of a cancer diagnosis. Joseph Gordon Levitt is fabulous in the lead and, although he plays yet another slacker best-friend, Seth Rogan, also, scores a home run. All the rest of the cast is superb. But the film succeeds because of the writing. The ending is a little abrupt but, if you love great acting and writing you will enjoy this film which incredibly, despite 2 Golden Globe nominations-Best Film (musical or comedy) and Best Lead actor (Gordon Levitt) went straight to DVD in this country.. Astounding.