The Bucket List premiered over the weekend and came in at the top of the heap with $19.5 million in revenue. The comedy-drama tells the story of two strangers, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, who find themselves suddenly in the same situation – incurable cancer. The hospital roommates are polar opposites but bond over the course of their hospitalization.
Nicholson, rich and alone, hooks up with Freeman, a married man who is floundering in his home life. The two decide to make a list of all those things that they want to accomplish before they ‘kick the bucket’. They head off in Nicholson’s private jet and travel the globe in search of majestic and interesting destinations.
Freeman’s wife calls Nicholson, pleading with him to return her husband. After an epiphany, Freeman decided that home is where he needs to be after all. In the meantime, he tries to reunite Nicholson with his estranged daughter.
As with all movies that deal with death and dying, there are moments of pain and realization. This one doesn’t disappoint. It is the perfect mix of reality, compassion, comedy and reflection.
The younger generation will detest the entire experience, but it will undoubtedly play well with people who have lost loved ones or are forward thinking enough to reflect on their own mortality. It’s really not that hard to make a bucket list. The hard part is plugging away at crossing off each entry as you live a good life along the way.
This reviewer gives the movie 3 Stars. Would I recommend it – absolutely. See movie trailer on next page.