The Bucket List (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
'The Bucket List' is a dramedy directed by Rob Reiner. Corporate billionaire, Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson), & a simple mechanic, Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman), are dying of cancer. They have nothing in common. But while sharing a hospital room together, they decide to create their own Bucket List (things to do before they kick the bucket). With Edward's assistant in tow (Sean Hayes), they escape from their ward & head off on a worldly road trip. As you can imagine, this type of film offers the 2 characters a chance to become friends, emotionally heal, get some anger out, re-connect with loved ones, find joy in their remaining days, yadayada. It's low-key, schmaltzy, and often ludicrous. But Nicholson & Freeman's comfort with each other is a pleasure to watch onscreen.
Edward & Carter have just started to warm to each other when their respective doctors come into their room to tell them their fates. Carter takes it in, and continues to watch Jeopardy (he's a trivia maniac). He's had a good life, but it could have been better. Carter attended college, but had to stop when his 1st & only girlfriend (now his wife of 47 years) became pregnant. Edward's illness is a bit more violent, and he's not taking the bad news well, at all. But when he sees Carter writing out the 'bucket list', he becomes more & more intrigued. From here, they throw caution to the wind and embark on a (hopefully) fulfilling adventure.
Because Edward is a wealthy CEO, he has the means to make the things on their bucket list possible. Some of these things include: skydiving, race car driving, seeing the Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, search for the perfect woman (I loved how this scene played out), and witness something truly majestic. But in the end, even though they experience so much in such a small amount of time, they both realize that it's their intimate, personal lives that matter to them most. Carter wants his wife & kids, and Edward (should) be reconnecting with the daughter he hasn't spoken to in years. Thanks to their impending death (macabre as that sounds), these 2 men form the unlikeliest of friendships. How, when, & where their lives end is both poignant & beautifully cinematic.
'The Bucket List' is a very simple movie. Even though Edward & Carter are experiencing the world, most of their conversations on life are quiet & reflective. Whether their muttering jabs at each other, or contemplatively discussing God, religion, faith, or family ... we're the flies on their shoulders for the whole film. Hearing their meditations on life are, at times, inspirational, and (some)times funny. But they're not rabble-rousing. You know, this film made waves when it was named Top 10 of the year by the National Board. Since then, it's received abysmal reviews from the rest of America's critics; I rest somewhere in the middle.
It's melodramatic, yes. The screenplay gets cheesy & formulaic. Most of their adventures felt over-the-top. But the acting on display, the light humor, & the camaraderie btwn. our protagonists eclipses a lot of the schmaltz. I liked the point that human companionship makes life worth living; I'm a firm believer in that. And Edward & Carter's coming-to-grips with their fates felt extremely real, and emotionally resonant. In another year, I could see Oscar noms for these veteran actors, but they may have to settle for just being a part of an unremarkable, yet oddly satisfying film endeavor.
Edward & Carter have just started to warm to each other when their respective doctors come into their room to tell them their fates. Carter takes it in, and continues to watch Jeopardy (he's a trivia maniac). He's had a good life, but it could have been better. Carter attended college, but had to stop when his 1st & only girlfriend (now his wife of 47 years) became pregnant. Edward's illness is a bit more violent, and he's not taking the bad news well, at all. But when he sees Carter writing out the 'bucket list', he becomes more & more intrigued. From here, they throw caution to the wind and embark on a (hopefully) fulfilling adventure.
Because Edward is a wealthy CEO, he has the means to make the things on their bucket list possible. Some of these things include: skydiving, race car driving, seeing the Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, search for the perfect woman (I loved how this scene played out), and witness something truly majestic. But in the end, even though they experience so much in such a small amount of time, they both realize that it's their intimate, personal lives that matter to them most. Carter wants his wife & kids, and Edward (should) be reconnecting with the daughter he hasn't spoken to in years. Thanks to their impending death (macabre as that sounds), these 2 men form the unlikeliest of friendships. How, when, & where their lives end is both poignant & beautifully cinematic.
'The Bucket List' is a very simple movie. Even though Edward & Carter are experiencing the world, most of their conversations on life are quiet & reflective. Whether their muttering jabs at each other, or contemplatively discussing God, religion, faith, or family ... we're the flies on their shoulders for the whole film. Hearing their meditations on life are, at times, inspirational, and (some)times funny. But they're not rabble-rousing. You know, this film made waves when it was named Top 10 of the year by the National Board. Since then, it's received abysmal reviews from the rest of America's critics; I rest somewhere in the middle.
It's melodramatic, yes. The screenplay gets cheesy & formulaic. Most of their adventures felt over-the-top. But the acting on display, the light humor, & the camaraderie btwn. our protagonists eclipses a lot of the schmaltz. I liked the point that human companionship makes life worth living; I'm a firm believer in that. And Edward & Carter's coming-to-grips with their fates felt extremely real, and emotionally resonant. In another year, I could see Oscar noms for these veteran actors, but they may have to settle for just being a part of an unremarkable, yet oddly satisfying film endeavor.