50/50

The title of this poignant serio-comic film stems from the survival odds that 27-year-old Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) faces after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Seemingly healthy Adam works as an NPR producer, and regularly jogs around his hometown of Seattle. But occasionally his back aches and he suffers night sweats, a situation that leads him to discover that a large, malignant tumor is growing along his spine. Sharing Adam's shock, dread, and bewilderment are his raunchy buddy, Kyle (Seth Rogen); sexy, self-absorbed artist girlfriend, Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard); and anxious mother (Anjelica Huston), who's caring for his Alzheimer's-afflicted father (Serge Houde). Predictably, each react differently. Adam's greatest support comes from Katherine (Anna Kendrick), the earnest young psychotherapist assigned to his case. Director Jonathan Levine elicits endearing performances from the ensemble, including the cranky curmudgeons in chemotherapy who get Adam high on marijuana-laced macaroons; but most memorable is the genuine friendship between Adam and Kyle. An emotionally cathartic, ultimately upbeat film, this is recommended. (S. Granger)