Happy 10th Birthday to the San Diego Film Festival!
Daddy and I had the opportunity to attend the San Diego Film Festival’s opening night to watch the screening of 50/50 before it came out in theaters Friday, September 30th. This made for a pretty exciting date night since we were both Film Festival virgins. Thank you to Mama Jenn of Lime Light PR and Live.Mom.Work for sharing the experience!
50/50 is inspired by a true story, written by Will Reiser and directed by Joanthan Levine. Reiser not only wrote the movie, he is the movie. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen, 50/50 is about a young man’s (Will Reiser) unexpected battle with cancer. But the story doesn’t just focus on the cancer. It offers a bold sense of humor in all the places you would least expect it. Well, duh, Seth Rogan is only one of the main characters. Anyway, it also touches on the emotional challenges faced by Adam, the guy with cancer played by Gordon-Levitt as well as the challenges faced by those around him – his girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard), his best friend Kyle (Rogan), his mother (Anjelica Huston – surprised to see in a role like this, but played well), and even his therapist turned girlfriend (Anna Kendrick – LOVED her in this movie).
After watching 50/50 Daddy and I had a lot to talk about. Our conversation started out with, “that was a great movie!” Hands down, one of the best movies we’ve seen in a long time. A breath of fresh air if you will. Reiser in my opinion did a great job of balancing the dark side of his life – the cancer, with the lighter side of his life – humor.
During the movie, I realized that I had put myself in the shoes of almost every character, trying to understand the reasons for their actions, their way of coping. For me, personally, the relationship between Adam and his mother is what caught my attention. First of all, because she reminded me of my own mother and how she would react if I told her I had cancer. Second, because I realized that I would probably act the same way if Pinky ever became ill in any way.
My Mom. Being a mom now, I can see how much I have taken my own mother for granted. I felt bad for Adam’s mother because he brushed her off several times when all she wanted to do was help. I am guilty of doing the same, and I don’t even have cancer! What made things worse was not only did her son have cancer, but her husband had Alzheimer’s. I could only imagine what that poor mother was going through. She must have felt so lonely. The movie reminded me to be thankful for my mommy…I am blessed to have her in my life.
Me as Mom. Being a mom now, I also see the flip side. I am slowly beginning to understand why my mom does the things she does. I wonder if I will smother Pinky and annoy her each time I try to show her I care. If she will take me for granted and push me away when I try to lend a helping hand. A mother’s love is greater than no other, and no matter how young or old your children are, you always will want to protect them. I’m grateful to God that Pinky has been healthy for her first 20 months of life. If anything were to happen to her I don’t know what I’d do. No mother is ever prepared to care for their sick child whether it’s cancer or the common cold. Seeing your child sick, is like someone stabbing you in the heart! It’s not a good feeling.
I later discovered that Reiser wrote this movie partly as an apology to his mother, which made sense. I thought that was sweet.
Daddy and I really appreciated 50/50 and all it had to offer. Date night for us is having a good time and having a good conversation about life! This movie definitely had us talking about life and death while sharing a few good laughs! Two Pinky’s Up for sure!
For another mom’s perspective on the movie 50/50 visit the San Diego Momfia and read what Hip Mama B had to say! And, do not miss Mama Mary’s interview with writer Will Reiser on the Mama Mary Show!
Be sure to check out the San Diego Film Festival this weekend, there’s still time to buy tickets at view some awesome movie premiers. Wish them a Happy Birthday will ya!