The odds are in favor of 50/50

     50/50 is an empathetic comedy about a young, sensible man, Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who gets cancer and faces the painstaking reality that he might die before his life gets rolling. He is 27, clean-cut, healthy, and a cautious character that is thrown a devastating curveball. As his shock sets in, his confidence and self-esteem is lowered, and his frustration builds to pure angst. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a truly tender and endearing performance.
     Adam’s high school buddy, Kyle (Seth Rogan), doesn’t quite know how to react, except to cheer him up as best as possible. I found Rogan’s loud-mouth, geeky macho-like mannerisms to live up to his warm-hearted role in Knocked Up (2007). On occasion, his jocular dialogue overwhelms his presence, but still, he’s in tune with his character. Levitt and Rogan work well together. Their clashing personalities complement the comedic duo.
     I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of 50/50. Sometimes, I think cancer-themed films rely too much on melodrama; the essential purpose is to yank tears from the audience. Instead, 50/50 contains richly defined characters. In the opening scene, we see Adam jogging outside, and when the crosswalk reads “don’t walk,” he complies. The director wants to quickly and efficiently introduce an important dimension of the central character, and that is, he’s very careful.
     After Adam receives his traumatic diagnosis, he agrees to see a 24 year-old therapist, Katherine (Anna Kedrick), and suddenly, he’s uncomfortable. Her office is messy and cluttered, and doesn't agree with Adam's clean sensibilities. Relationships in scripts work well when two characters, who have little common, find a way to relate. While Adam is waiting at the hospital, he befriends three older guys who are also going through chemotherapy. These men might be strange to him, but due to their similar health issues, he’s more relaxed and comfortable than when he’s around his girlfriend, (Bryce Dallas Howard), therapist, or even his caring, yet neurotic mother (Angelica Huston).
     When I realized that Seth Rogan was one of the star attractions, I wasn’t sure which direction the film would go. Are we going to be constantly bombarded by Rogan’s jokes and sarcasm? Well, sometimes his humor runs rampant, but his performance is very genuine. The comic relief is a reminder that it’s not helpful to wallow.

      Joseph Gordon-Levitt rarely falls short of a great performance. As his career shoots for the stars, his choices of character roles are becoming more diverse and challenging. Adam is a character who has difficulties expressing his present emotions. In an empowering scene, Levitt’s underlying feelings finally boil to the surface, and I was reminded of Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces (1970), when he’s alone in his car, ranting and raving in madness. Everything finally comes out, and Adam’s sudden shift in behavior is plausibly portrayed by Levitt. 50/50 is a sure-fire pleasure. The performances are superb, the script is smartly written, and as funny as it is, still, bring your tissue box.

***1/2 (out of four stars)