| Product: |
The Bucket List (DVD) |
| Date: |
05/08/08 (68 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: GOOD ACTING
Disadvantages: SLIGHTLY CORNY SECOND HALF OF FILM
I have got to confess I was and wasn't looking forward to watching The Bucket List. On one hand two great actors were the stars I love Morgan Freeman's voice and the fact he gets better the older he gets and. Jack Nicholson who I now consider one of the best actors of the last thirty five years. Though I have to confess I never use to like Jack Nicholson despite his early classic films I prefer him in his later films such as "As good as it gets" and "About Schmidt".
On the other hand a lot of so called film critics had given The Bucket List either bad reviews or lukewarm reviews.
However despite this on a rainy summer afternoon in the middle of summer not wanting to watch a repeat of eastenders, golf, grand prix or a pop concert (usual Sunday afternoon rubbish) I decided it was time to watch The Bucket List.
A brief plot summary contains a couple of spoilers
Freeman is Carter Chambers, a mechanic and family man. Nicholson co-stars as Edward Cole, big boss man of the mighty Cole Group. He devoted his life to making money and now he's a friendless, dying billionaire. The two men meet in a hospital where they share a room and are facing terminal illness. They become friends and decide instead of enduring the rest of their lives in hospital to create a bucket list of things to do before they die. The second half of the film follows there attempts to complete the Bucket List as they travel round the world using Cole's money which causes problems at home for Chambers.
My Opinion
I really liked The Bucket List the performances are excellent with both Freeman and Nicholson as good as ever with Sean Hayes (Jack from Will and Grace) playing a restrained but excellent role as Coles assistant, Thomas. Also look out briefly for Carter's son who is Morgan Freeman's real life son.
The story is good and it does not hide from the reality of the suffering that occurs when you are getting treatment for a terminal illness and the strength of spirit and character you need to endure such treatment. The second half of the film is slightly corny as the two men attempt to complete the bucket list but the scenery is wonderful. There are lots of philosophical discussions between them which sometimes are slightly dull but still work and do fit as part of the film because if you were dying you would ponder life and death. Despite its subject matter The Bucket List is a funny movie with many funny lines between the two leads especially when they are in the hospital. The ending though sad is also uplifting like the film it is a end of life movie that becomes a feel good movie and left me not sad but happy.
The Bucket List may not be to every ones likening but I enjoyed it and you should watch it with an open mind and a open heart.
Dvd extras - are quite sparse
Writing a Bucket List (4:53): Writer Justin Zackham talks about the inspiration for the movie (based on his real life list) and also spends a fair amount of time plugging his cash-in book called "Bucket Lists." A okay extra without being anything special.
John Mayer "Say" Music Video (3:59) Okay music video.
Also
DVD-ROM content including additional scenes and "Jack & Morgan: All Seriousness Aside"; which are both okay without being anything special.
Summary: A FEEL GOOD BUCKET MOVIE
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