If you knew you only had a few months to live, what would you do with your time? What things have you not done that you have always wanted to do? Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman star as Edward and Carter, two men from different walks of life who find themselves roommates in the hospital, each one is suffering from cancer and both are given only a short time to live. They strike up a friendship and decide to create their bucket list - you know, the things you want to do before you kick the bucket!
Edward, being a man of great wealth, funds their excursion around the world where they experience things and places they have never gone before. Carter's wife is upset with the whole idea. She would rather have her husband home so she can take care of him during his last months, but Carter has other plans. Although some people might think it selfish of him, in his mind he is removing some of the stress for his family because they would be doting on him and worrying about him, although they still worry while he is away. But in the meantime, he is finally doing some of the things he has always wanted to do.
"You bond to people with whom you have something in common and these two have something very important in common. They are holding the rest of their lives in their hands and they both know it," says Freeman about the two characters. His character Carter Chambers comments, "You measure yourself by the people who measure themselves by you." And these two men become important in each others' lives. "They complement each other in a very special way," comments director Rob Reiner.
"The baby boom generation," says Reiner, "in particular, are really starting to examine and evaluate their lives in a deeper way and the themes touched on by The Bucket List really resonate." By the time you finish watching this movie, you will probably be creating your own bucket list.
This is definitely not one of Reiner's comedies. This is truly a deep and very sad story of two dying men suffering from a horrible disease and facing their last days on earth. While there are some humorous lines, the majority of the film is depressing. Morgan Freeman is the bright spot. He is one of today's finest actors, and brings a sweet sincerity to his character. Jack Nicholson is his usual wise-cracking character although in this film he does have some sensitivity.
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