Director: Rob Reiner
Writer: Justin Zackham (Screenplay)
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd, Rob Morrow, Alfonso Freeman, Rowena King
Plot: Two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Wonderful Drama Comedy
Story: The Bucket List starts with Carter (Freeman) telling us the date that Edward (Nicholson) dies, well spoiler. We move to meet Carter a car mechanic with great knowledge of the world as he gets the shocking news about his health. We also meet Edward a wealthy hospital owner. The two have to share a room much to Edward annoyance even though he is campaigning to have two beds per room minimum.
Putting aside their differences the two find themselves facing the same fate as they are fighting cancer and the two decide to put themselves on one last set of adventures as they look to complete their Bucket Lists.
The Bucket List gives us a drama following two men who are facing the same fate but from very different worlds. We get to see how this brings them together to achieve the moments in life they both missed out on for different reasons. The adventures work really well because we get to see how much it means to both the men. The comedy and drama work really well because they are balanced to make us laugh when needed and make us feel when needed. Overall this really is one of those films that is purely enjoyable without being too much of a downer.
Actor Review
Jack Nicholson: Edward has spent his life making money and brilliant business decisions including owning a hospital. He finds out he has cancer and given 6 months to a year to live, he has to share a room with Carter but with him he decides to use his fortune to help Carter fulfill in final lifelong desires in one final adventure before having to face his very own reality on his life. Jack is great in this role being the lifestyle we actually imagine him to have lived.
Morgan Freeman: Carter has been a mechanic nearly his whole professional life, he has given up his dreams for his family to supporting his children before getting the news about his cancer diagnosis. Sharing a room with Edward he gets to go on all the adventures he never got to go on in life before he has to deal with the reality of life. Morgan is great in the role that also looks like he would be facing before his acting career.
Sean Hayes: Thomas is the long suffering assistant to Edward, he has to make all the plans while dealing with insults each decision he makes. Sean works for the small supporting character.
Support Cast: The Bucket List has a small supporting roles where the characters are parts of the characters’ lives.
Director Review: Rob Reiner – Rob gives us a film that gives us laughs, but also emotional moments through the film.
Adventure: The Bucket List puts our two characters on their last adventure in their life before they will have to face their own fates.
Comedy: The Bucket List has good laughs without being a flat out comedy.
Settings: The Bucket List uses all of the settings to show where the men would like to go.
Suggestion: The Bucket List is one to watch and enjoy. (Watch)
Best Part: Eypgt has a brilliant scene.
Worst Part: Not enough emotional side for the story involved.
Believability: The suffering yes the adventures no.
Chances of Tears: A few near the end.
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $93.5 Million
Budget: $45 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes
Tagline: You only live once, so why not die with style?
Overall: Touching drama that works on the heart strings.
Rating
