There was a survey once. A thousand people were asked, if they could know in advance, would they want to know the exact day of their death. Ninety six percent of them said “No”. I always leaned towards the other four percent. I thought it would be liberating, knowing how much time you had left to work with. It turns out, it’s not.
The words of a dying cancer patient, Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman), in one of the best films lined up for 2008. “The Bucket List”, directed by Rob Reiner, follows the final days of Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) and Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson), both of whom share a room in the Cancer Ward of Edward’s Hospital.
“The Bucket List” is a fantastic film about friendship, faith and determination to fulfill life’s greatest potential, following the superb duo across a list of events that would entertain any audience. Filled with dark humor, Reiner manages to portray the image of a self-centered billionaire and a blisteringly clever auto-mechanic very well. Freeman and Nicholson are both able to handle their parts with ease and it’s a wonder why they weren’t teamed up before. Freeman plays the dignified role, as always, of carter, the auto-mechanic with a lovely wife, and well-educated children, who finds out he has cancer, while on the job. Nicholson, still with his bad-man attitude, certainly finishes the job of portraying Edward as the billionaire who builds his business from the age of sixteen, self-taught to care for only himself. Upon meeting, Edward demands his own room, as the hospital owner, but is forced to settle into sharing a room with Carter, tho his greatest dislike.
Gradually, their humor brings them together and they begin to bond like children at a new school. After games of Gin Tummy, and “get to know the family” sessions, Carter and Edward compile a Bucket List, named appropriately so, as the point of a bucket list is to generate a list of things you wish to do before you “Kick the Bucket”. Among many tasks, they propose to drive Shelby Mustangs, kiss the most beautiful girl in the world, and witness something majestic. Needless to say, they then go on a long journey, covering the globe, in an epic, action packed, comedic masterpiece. As the film progresses, we see their friendship blossom, and the inner bud of Edward unfold.
I honestly believe this to be the final film of both Freeman and Nicholson’s careers, and a prodigious performance at that. I recommend viewing to the mature audience as the short sexual references and witty humor will surpass the younger generation. Despite the one and a half hour viewing time, “The Bucket List” will have you gripping your seat to the end.
+ IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825232/