The new dramedy 50/50 takes subject matter that isn't at all funny and manages to paint a portrait that's hard not to laugh at. 50/50 features Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a twenty-seven year old who discovers he has cancer. Like I said, not very funny subject matter. Tell that to Seth Rogen who appears in the film as Levitt's slacker of a best friend. Rogen co-authored the story on which Will Reiser's screenplay was based and they were reportedly inspired by a real life incident involving one of their childhood buddies. 50/50 is a raunchy comedy in the tradition of Judd Apatow's films. This is to say it walks that fine line between humor and drama. The thing is, there's an honesty and realism at play here that I wasn't prepared for. Leavitt and Rogen have genuine chemistry and I never doubted their on screen friendship, even when they were bickering. A reveal towards the end of the picture proves just how committed Rogen is to his empathetic friend. As an actor, Rogen doesn't bring anything particularly new to the table, but the film is fashioned in a way that allows him to shine regardless. Credit director Jonathan Levine (The Wackness) for keeping the mood light on set through the power of improvisation (the stuff with Matt Frewer and Phillip Baker Hall is a riot). As strong as the direction and writing is, make no mistake. This is Levitt's picture. The final thirty minutes of 50/50 are enough to make a grown man cry and the very thought of a final act conversation between Levitt and his onscreen mother (played by Anjelica Houston) has me teary eyed just thinking about it. Levitt deserves any awards that might come his way for his powerful work here. 50/50 is a special film with several special moments (watch for a winning courtship between Levitt and Anna Kendrick), and I was completely moved by it. It treats dark subject matter with equal measures humor and class.