50/50 (2011)

“50/50” dares to make a raunchy comedy about a 27-year-old man facing the Big C. Its odds are far better than the film’s title. Seattle radio producer Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is OCC about health and the planet: I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I recycle, he says. Yet, his doctor has grim news: A tumor on his spine means a half-shot at living. Mom (Angelica Houston) frets. Girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard) reels away. Best pal (Seth Rogan) sees cancer as a means to pity sex and pot. Based on a true story (writer Will Reiser is Adam), “50” has plenty of drama (a fellow cancer patient dies, Adam’s father has dementia) to balance the rude humor and drugs. JGL and Rogen have fine moments together, as when Adam shaves his head, yet the latter’s Kyle is such a depraved misogynist that it begs the question: How are these men friends? If Kyle ever breaks his man-child streak and weeps for Adam, we never know. That sucks. As a preteen, a best pal had cancer. It profoundly affected me. Levitt rules as self-assured, in-control Adam is reduced to tears, reaching for his mom as possible death awaits. B+