Movie Review | 50/50

50/50 takes a rather big risk in its very concept — "cancer" and "comedy" aren't topics that are typically associated.

It's a risk that pays off, though — 50/50 is funny, touching and quirky all at once.

The story follows Adam, a 27-year-old radio journalist, who has been diagnosed with cancer. His chances are given as "50-50," hence the film's title.

In the main role is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who has quietly been building a strong catalog the past few years with roles in Brick, Inception and (500) Days of Summer, among others. Gordon-Levitt gives an excellent, if restrained performance, here — his acting style gibes nicely with the role he's asked to play. His character is quiet, repressed and a little uptight, but he's able to provide some warmth in the role as well.

Seth Rogen, though, really does steal the show as Adam's slackerish best friend Kyle. This character, of course, is right in Rogan's wheelhouse, and he doesn't disappoint — Kyle is somehow over-the-top without being a caricature. Rogen's energy keeps this movie — which deals with some sobering concepts — from getting too maudlin. It was really a smart move to pair him with Gordon-Levitt, as the two play off each other quite well.

Angelica Huston is very good, if underused, as Adam's smothering mother. She does well with the material she's given, but it does feel like the movie forgets about her sometimes. As such, her storyline (especially the payoff) feels a bit rushed. This can be forgiven, as the film's breadth meant something had to be underdeveloped.

Anna Kendrick plays Adam's inexperienced therapist, and she does a good job as a character who's as vulnerable as Adam is at the moment. Bryce Dallas Howard's character, as Adam's girlfriend, is a bit too one-note, though — we know what's coming with her well before it happens.

The film straddles the line between comedy and drama comfortably — it's neither overly sentimental nor a cartoon. It treats its characters with respect, and it's genuinely interesting to see them interact with each other.

Grade: A

50/50 is rated R.