The Bucket List
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Movie Reviews of The Bucket List
Movie Review: Making the most out of your last months-The Bucket List
Summary: 5 Stars
Saw this one in the theater. This was an excellent film with acting greats Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as 2 older gentlemen, both diagnosed with terminal cancer. They meet when they become hospital roommates through operations and chemotherapy treatments (and heads in the toilet bowl). They are an unlikely pair of opposites who find consolation within the tender caring sides of each other.
Jack is a billionaire, previously married 4 times, currently single, and estranged from his one child, a daughter. Morgan is a family man, married with children and grandchildren. Jack is a little outspoken and wild. Morgan is like a quiet southern gentleman. They become great friends in the hospital and decide to make a "Bucket List" (a list of things to do before they kick the bucket). So, with Jack's money and Jack's personal assistant to make all arrangements, and Jack's private plane, they take off to do all the things on the list.
Although in content it is certainly sad, it is also uplifting that they get to live the rest of their time doing some very special things as well as bonding in a beautiful loving friendship. There are lots of laughs, too. This movie will have you both laughing and crying as you go through the final months of the lives of these two men.
On a side note, I can understand if you are leery of seeing a movie about 2 men dying of cancer. I was a little uneasy about the subject matter myself, since I lost my 53 year old mother, 64 year old father, and 40-year old brother to cancer. But I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and was glad I watched it. And, of course, the acting job was superb. I even took my 15-year old granddaughter to see the movie. I asked her what rating she would give it, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being outstanding. She gave it a 9 ½--and I certainly agree!
Note: This "Bucket List" thing is a great idea, not that I'm expecting to cross over anytime soon. I kept a mental Bucket List for awhile and some things that were on it I wound up doing, so even though it might seem too expensive, or unlikely for whatever reason, it's a good idea to make the list. A couple of places that I wanted to see, but didn't think I could afford, were: San Diego, Denver, the Mayan ruins in Mexico, the Canadian Rockies, and Alaska. Somehow, the trips manifested just by thinking about them and somehow they were affordable. I even went to the Canadian Rockies TWICE (2004 and 2007) because the deal was so good.
So, some more things on my bucket list are: Aspen/Mt. Estes/Vail, Colorado (no, I don't ski), a Barry Manilow concert in London, Machu Piccu Peru, Mt. Shasta California, Sedona Arizona, Stonehedge, Avalon, Ireland, a Panama Canal cruise, Lourdes France, Australia, and New Zealand. I probably left something out, but there it is. I have written it down and now it's official, so somehow these things can also begin to manifest. I suggest you write down your Bucket List, too.
Movie Review: how DO you understand the measure of a life ???
Summary: 5 Stars
The Bucket List tells the sensitive and well thought-out story of two older men who are diagnosed with cancer so severe that they have six months to live--or maybe a year if they're lucky. Look for stunning performances from both Morgan Freeman as Carter Chambers and Jack Nicholson as Edward Cole. Beverly Todd also acts her heart out as Beverly Chambers, Carter's wife.
The action begins when Carter Chambers, a working class black man, and Edward Cole, super-wealthy self-made rich white guy who actually owns the hospital they're in become roommates in the oncology ward of the hospital. At first Carter and Edward don't exactly hit it off but it isn't long before they forge a friendship. When they each learn that by coincidence they have six months to a year to live, they embark on a trip to accomplish certain lifelong dreams and personal goals before they die. The list of things to do is called The Bucket List because it's a list of things to do before they "kick the bucket."
Of course, because Edward Cole is wealthy many scenes in this movie become almost miraculously possible. They travel the world by private corporate jet; and they live more in just a few weeks than most people ever do in a lifetime.
Of course, life has its ways of surprising just about any of us; so still the plot could go just about anywhere. How will Beverly, Carter's wife, react to all this? Will she understand and remain patient while Carter lives out a few lifelong dreams or will she want her husband home NOW? Will Carter and Edward be able to keep their cool when they are stranded in Asia during a monstrous snowstorm and they are not allowed to fly? What happens if one of them gets very sick along the way? What about Edward's refusal to make up with his daughter who disowned him long ago--will he ever decide to approach her or will he remain obstinate in his refusal to even meet with her? The results may surprise you. No plot spoilers here, folks--you'll just have to watch the movie to find out!
As a cancer survivor who is finishing my own chemotherapy soon, I will add that some of the side-effects of the chemotherapy they receive are exaggerated. However, I think director Rob Reiner added these elements to the film to make it somewhat more dramatic.
Overall, The Bucket List is an excellent movie; and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman turn in superlative performances that proves these guys can still act better than the vast majority of actors ever could. Beverly Todd does a great job as Carter's wife; and Sean Hayes also does well as Edward Cole's personal assistant Thomas. I highly recommend this film for fans of these terrific actors; and people comfortable with the subject matter will appreciate this motion picture as well.
Movie Review: It's The End of All Strain, It's the Joy In Your Heart
Summary: 5 Stars
Two world-class actors work together and have a hellacious time, and we get to share that fun. And we get to see Rob Morrow practice medicine again.
The plot's wildly improbable and pretty simple: two guys learn that they are going to die, and assemble and execute a list of things they will do before they kick the bucket. BTW, the scene where Morgan Freeman gets his initial cancer diagnosis (on a cell phone, which is also improbable) is wonderfully performed. There are other scenes which reminded me of my wife's career work as a family advocate; she takes care of family members and visitors of emergency room patients. Arguably the first part of the movie is just like a day at work for her and for millions of other doctors, nurses and caregivers.
One item on the bucket list was "to kiss the most beautiful girl in the world." In this movie, Jack Nicholson's character gets to do that by kissing his granddaughter, whom it looked like he'd never met before.
I shared a song with the most beautiful girl in the world many years ago, called "The Waters of March," written by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The lyrics sound like nonsense; my girl and I used to debate what they meant.
But the last words of the "doggerel" are, "It's the end of all strain, it's the joy in your heart." While looking at the Pyramids, Morgan Freeman tells Jack that the ancient Egyptians believed that, at death, you were asked two questions to gain admittance to heaven: did you have joy, and did you bring joy to others.
Mayve Jobim and the ancient Egyptians synched up. Death is surely the end of all strain, and what matters is the joy in your heart.
Nicholson tries to attain heaven by bringing his brand of erotic joy to Freeman; Freeman's decision to decline the offer regains him his marriage.
Freeman tries to attain heaven by bringing his brand of family joy to Nicholson; Nicholson's immediate reaction is rage, anguish and withdrawal, wonderfully acted (reminded me a little of Nicholson's work in "Carnal Knowledge").
But the common thread was family. Shelby Mustangs, Himalayas and skydiving aside, family is what brings us the greatest joy, and we can only get what we give.
So, kiss the most beatiful girl in the world, and don't put it off. Embrace your family and find the greatest joy there is.
Movie Review: One Amazing, Awesome, Magical Story by two Giant actors!
Summary: 5 Stars
Two of my favorite Actors, Morgan Freeman as a retired auto Mechanic and Jack Nicholson get acquainted as terminantly ill cancer patients! The story is the result of Morgan (Charles Chambers) remembering The BUCKET LIST Assignment from his Philosophy Teacher who asked his students to make a list of the things which they would try to accomplish before he "Kicked The Bucket."
When Edward Cole found the list begun by his roommate Charles Chambers, they decided that was the best way they could spend their last days! So both asked their Doctors to check them out of their room and their treatment. Since Edward Cole was a wealthy Fortune 500 mogul who owned an interest in hospitals, they chose to attempt their list of things they had never done before. First they wanted to sky dive out of a large plane. They did this and it was a huge thrill! Next they visited Monte Carlo, where they downed great amounts of Caviar and hit the tables. They tore up the road in two supercharged cars in reckless abandon at great speeds and enormous risks! They visited Africa where they included the beautiful scenery and animals of a Safari! From there they saw the great Egyptian Pyramids. They stayed in famous Hotels in the exotic cities of China & France, etc.
When they returned home, they each celebrated! Edward meeting with his large board of Associates & Directors after he made a difficult, surprise visit, taking flowers to his only estranged daughter after years of silence! Charles met his whole family for a big joint dinner with all of his children & grandchildren!
The crowning scene of the whole story was the celebration of the Memorial Service of Charles' death, where Ed Cole gave the most touching Eulogy ever heard and felt for the man he only had known a few years, yet had given him new desires to stay alive!
Part of Ed & Charles personal touch were the stories they shared! One of the most enduring was the visit that Charles described to a friend after climbing his memorial trip to the top of an ancient Tibetian mountain where he had experienced the most profound silence, so that he felt he heard the Voice of God. The final scene of the Movie was the trip up to the top of that very mountain where he deposited the Urn of Charles' ashes.
An Amazing, Awesome, Magical story from two Giant Actors & Director, Rob Reiner!
Movie Review: Did you experience joy in your lifetime?
Summary: 5 Stars
Morgan Freeman plays a brainiac, a highly intellectual, intelligent man who, as he says, "spent 45 years greased up under the hood of a car" so that his children would have the kind of life he'd always dreamt about for himself.
As was true for many men of his generation, he wanted to be sure that his children "would never want for anything and they didn't." He sacrificed and worked and toiled for a lifetime, always putting his family's needs ahead of his own long-cherished dream to get a college degree and become a history professor. And his lifetime of self-sacrifice bore much fruit: His three children went to college and became successful professionals.
Nicholson and Freeman forged a bond, and became friends despite the fact that the two men were complete opposites and would never have crossed paths in day-to-day life, were it not for their illness.
Nicholson lived an life that was the diametrical opposite of Freeman's character; a life which was characterized by debauchery, lasciviousness and general over-indulgence, always keeping a keen eye open, looking out for Number One. His legacy is a business, which has made him a multi-millionaire.
In the few weeks the men have left, Freeman gives Nicholoson a few life lessons about real success and love and the joy that can be found in self-sacrifice and Freeman shows Nicholson that the love we leave behind and the life example we leave behind can be our most enduring and important life legacy.
And Nicholson gives Freeman an extraordinary gift. Nicholson shows Freeman the world that he's spent decades reading about in books.
My favorite line in the movie: According to Egyptian lore, you're asked two questions at the gates of heaven: First, Did you experience joy in your lifetime? And two, did you bring joy to someone else in your lifetime?
Those two questions can leave a soul with a lot to think about.
The Bucket List is one those unusual movies that leaves you with an intellectual and spiritual aftertaste, where you go away pondering the many layers of messages contained in the rich, thoughtful dialogue. The metaphysical riches to the side, it's also a funny movie and Nicholson is in fine form.
I would highly recommend The Bucket List. Well worth your time and money.