Watchable..

Rating: 6/10 (25 May 2012)

Young, smart men in their early 20s should not be knocking at death's door, and while we know that the Reaper waits for all men, getting a sneak peek at the mechanics of mortality holds a Dante-esque fascination. Mix in everyman color commentary from Seth Rogen (at his absolute best here) and 50/50 becomes an extraordinary observation on the cycles of life. Rogen is just the best friend - it is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, avid re-cycler and public radio producer, who is diagnosed with life-threatening cancer. His chances for survival are "50/50" and the all-consuming treatment that follows offers just enough of a clothesline on which to hang a number of moving and funny scenes. In addition to Rogen, we meet JGL's emotionally smothering mother (Angelica Huston, Oscar nomination ensured,) cruel girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard, Hiss) and the always terrific Anna Kendrick as JGL's therapist and, well, see the movie....