As a writer I am always told, “Write what you know.” This rings true for all writers, including Will Reiser, writer for the film “50/50.” Directed by Jonathon Levine and written by Reiser, “50/50” is based on Reiser’s personal life, specifically about his struggles through cancer. Jump to five or six years later and Reiser now has a movie based on what he went through with friend Seth Rogen.

Rogen portrays himself in the film as Kyle while Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as Adam, portrays Reiser. The film is a snapshot of several months in Adam’s 27-year-old life, which begins with a check-up for a back pain. This back pain turns out to be more than Adam has bargained for, and he is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his spine by a less-than-sensitive doctor.

Subsequently Adam is faced with the reality of his cancer and his best friend Kyle is by his side for every step, which is more than I can say for Adam’s girlfriend Rachael.

With Reiser having gone through everything personally, I feel Reiser was able to deliver an honest, believable movie. Other movies that deal with cancer typically show viewers two emotions – a lot of sadness, with a bit of happiness mixed in. Reiser brings out the awkward moments, and times when the characters try to be serious, but are so nervous they laugh. The characters in “50/50” portray real life: when we or our loved ones get cancer, it is no surprise we don’t know what to say or how to act.

Gordon-Levitt brings raw emotion to his character Adam. Stricken with fear, yet unafraid to show his emotion, viewers see him on the defense with sarcasm, crying and screaming.

Rogen shows a different side to his acting, while still bringing the quips, sarcasm and his loveable-yet-bumbling-idiot act. As Kyle, he sustains some of the normalcy for Adam, taking him out to bars or just hanging out.

Adam starts seeing a therapist, Katherine McKay (Anna Kendrick), as he goes through chemotherapy. Katherine, young and new on the job, manages to help Adam through his feelings. I thought Kendrick played her role well. I felt nervous along with her as she hurdled through adjusting to her new job.

Diane, Adam’s mother played by Anjelica Huston, is what I would call the overbearing type. Huston delivers a believable performance as she is always willing to help her son. Viewers see the different sides to Huston’s character – the mom, the wife and her individually struggling with her own difficulties. Adam’s father, Richard (Serge Houde), has Alzheimer’s and doesn’t know much of what is going on; much less that Adam is his son.

Frustrated with his worrying mother, Adam makes friends during his chemo treatments with older pals Alan, played by Philip Baker Hall, and Mitch (Matt Frewer). The three bond quickly over weed macaroons. Hall and Frewer bring life to what Adam is going through as a patient. Viewers get to witness different cancers in their different stages, which I felt brought more dimensions to the movie. Though the movie was focused on Adam and his cancer, viewers also see other aspects to what life with cancer is like.

Gordon-Levitt and Rogen take you through their journey with their natural dialogue, sense of feeling lost and not knowing what to do, smoking pot and trying to get laid. The actors embody the life of what it is like to be as a person who has cancer or having a loved one who has cancer. The duo brings life to the screen without 99 minutes of straight depression – many times I was laughing; a few times I was silent with suspense, or tearing up at the heart-breaking trials. Honest and witty, “50/50” is a must see.

 Courtney Owen can be reached at [email protected].