Take
a sentimental journey with two elderly men who’ve been told
their life expectancy is about six months. They make out a bucket
list; a wish list of things one would like to do before kicking
the bucket. That’s the premise of the script by Justin Zackham
in Rob Reiner’s latest film, The Bucket List. Reiner
directed those noteworthy flicks Stand By Me, When
Harry Met Sally, and This Is Spinal Tap back in
the eighties with a long list of credits as an actor as well as
a director.
Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson), billionaire and hospital
owner, is struck down with cancer and ends up sharing a ward with
Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) also a cancer sufferer. Because
of Cole’s much advertised policy of two beds in every ward
he’s stuck with sharing. Despite totally different backgrounds
and temperaments they hit it off well after a very touchy beginning.
Their abrasive interaction in the early part of the film produces
the best scenes, with a touch of gallows humour.
Cole and Carter both get reports they have only
a few months left. They hatch a plan to run off together and do
all the things they’ve wished they’d done in life;
including sky jumping and car racing. Cole, a super wealthy old
guy, makes this all possible. The pair are soon setting off on
their round the world tour of adventure to the apparent dismay
of Carter’s wife (Beverly Todd) and his family. It turns
out to be an uplifting journey towards a kind of salvation, learning
more about themselves and a deeper understanding of family relationships.
Nicholson (The Departed) and Freeman (Feast
of Love) are cast to type so they don’t have to extend
themselves to any degree. Nicholson is his usual noisy sardonic
persona with eyes that suggest mad Jack isn’t too far beneath
the surface. He sports the worst haircuts since One Flew Over
the Cuckoo's Nest; while Freeman remains the fatherly, good-natured
self we’ve seen in so many movies, with quiet control over
his emotions.
They’re
both 71, with birthdays just a few weeks apart; and they work
together with the precision of true professionals, beautifully
milking the script for gentle laughter and a few tears. While
Zackham’s screenplay verges on schmaltz the actors' delivery
make it appear sincere and affecting. Nicholson’s unsentimental
grumpy old man is always sounding off, while Freeman plays it
straight with his marshmallow comforting tones. Who can do a better
voice over than Freeman anyway? That voice is used to advantage
at the beginning and end of the movie. Luckily Reiner’s
saved by his charismatic leads from the perils of the sudsy script.
There are no great surprises in the story, yet it takes some odd
curves to keep you interested. Support comes in the form of co-players
like Cole’s assistant (Sean Hayes), providing the droll
but sympathetic foil for his boss.
Mildly distressing clinical scenes appear in the
first part dealing with chemotherapy. In fact, this section of
the film is strong on hospital realism. While the travelogue bits
are delightfully photographed in places we’d all want on
our own bucket lists, these scenes rather outstay their welcome,
not reaching the emotional highs of earlier in the movie. Aimed
towards a mature audience, in keeping with a number of films recently,
it should suit the fans of the two stars.
I was mildly surprised watching this film at a preview
before its theatrical release that a ripple of applause ran through
the audience after the final damp hankie act. I’ve not heard
clapping at a film for a quite a while. Maybe that’s telling
you something.
Take
a sentimental journey with two elderly men who’ve been told
their life expectancy is about six months. They make out a bucket
list; a wish list of things one would like to do before kicking
the bucket. That’s the premise of the script by Justin Zackham
in Rob Reiner’s latest film, The Bucket List. Reiner
directed those noteworthy flicks Stand By Me, When
Harry Met Sally, and This Is Spinal Tap back in
the eighties with a long list of credits as an actor as well as
a director. 
They’re
both 71, with birthdays just a few weeks apart; and they work
together with the precision of true professionals, beautifully
milking the script for gentle laughter and a few tears. While
Zackham’s screenplay verges on schmaltz the actors' delivery
make it appear sincere and affecting. Nicholson’s unsentimental
grumpy old man is always sounding off, while Freeman plays it
straight with his marshmallow comforting tones. Who can do a better
voice over than Freeman anyway? That voice is used to advantage
at the beginning and end of the movie. Luckily Reiner’s
saved by his charismatic leads from the perils of the sudsy script.
There are no great surprises in the story, yet it takes some odd
curves to keep you interested. Support comes in the form of co-players
like Cole’s assistant (Sean Hayes), providing the droll
but sympathetic foil for his boss.